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West Australian
20-05-2025
- General
- West Australian
Community encouraged to support hardworking SES volunteers on Wear Orange Wednesday
Volunteering with the State Emergency Service is a family affair for one Kalgoorlie-Boulder family. Reidan, Lisa and Layton Ford, 16, are among a team of trained volunteers who assist the community in times of crisis. Mr Ford joined Kalgoorlie-Boulder's SES unit 18 months ago after learning about the organisation's positive impact from his wife Lisa who had volunteered for several years. 'When she would go out on jobs, hearing the satisfaction that she got from helping the community and being involved is what (encouraged) me to jump into it,' he said. The couple's 16-year-old daughter Layton joined as a cadet two years ago and established herself as a key team member. Mr Ford said SES volunteers were often called on to assist during land searches or severe storms. He said the unit worked in treacherous weather and terrain to assist community members in times of crisis. 'There's a lot of different reasons on why (SES is important) but I suppose, who else are you going to call?' he said. 'If your house is leaking profusely at eight o'clock at night, you can't call a contractor to come out and fix a leaking roof. 'The SES are willing to actually come out in their time and help you in those periods when you really do need the help, and it's not costing you a dime.' The SES unit trains weekly at their Forrest Street base in Boulder. Mr Ford said volunteers gained important operational and communications skills. Wednesday marks WOW Day, Wear Orange Wednesday, a time to recognise and celebrate the hard work of SES volunteers across the country. It takes place during National Volunteer Week, which runs from May 19-25. Kalgoorlie town hall, William Grundt Memorial Library, and Eastern Goldfields community centre will be lit in orange in the evening. Community members are encouraged to wear orange to show their support. 'It does feel good to be recognised, but we don't ask for it,' Mr Ford said. 'We don't go looking for recognition, but it does feel really good having that recognition, and it does go a long way.' Mr Ford said the Kalgoorlie-Boulder unit always welcomed new volunteers and encouraged anyone interested to reach out. Information on volunteering can be found on the SES WA website.
West Australian
14-05-2025
- Climate
- West Australian
Broome SES local manager Nathan Donald shares story for Wear Orange Wednesday
As tropical cyclone Carlos barrelled towards Karratha in early 2011, Nathan Donald was at the caravan park hurriedly tying down his belongings. 'It never made it to the caravan park, thank God, but it did do quite a bit of damage in town,' Mr Donald said. 'I was working at a local electrical supplier in town, and one of the reps just happened to be an SES volunteer, and we were talking about the storm, and he said I should come down, and the rest is history.' Now the local manager of the Broome unit, Mr Donald has been volunteering with the SES ever since, and said it was the experiences and the camaraderie that kept him coming back. 'It's the experiences. I get to do so much with what SES can provide. I've learnt so much . . . I just enjoy passing those skills on, and every call-out's different,' he said. 'Some of these people have never picked up a power tool in their life. And handing them a power tool and showing them how to use it safely, and then watching them have a crack — it gives you a warm, fuzzy feeling.' Mr Donald said he got the same feeling during one of his most recent rescues, helping airlift an injured hiker out of Bell Gorge. 'We were on site well into the early hours of the morning before we retired back to some form of accommodation, and then in the morning, when we got back to site, she was being airlifted out,' he said. 'We would have happily walked her out if it was the middle of the day when we got there, but unfortunately we didn't get there until 5pm and the sun was quickly going down, so she was airlifted out, which added to the unique challenge of the rescue.' Ahead of Wear Orange Wednesday, a day to recognise and celebrate the hard work of State Emergency Service volunteers, on May 21, Mr Donald said it was always great to see local support for the SES. 'We don't do it for the recognition, but it is really nice to have a day where everyone dresses up in orange to thank us for what we've done,' he said. To those considering joining their local SES unit, Mr Donald said 'just do it'. 'You won't regret it. We come from all backgrounds and we're open and welcoming,' he said. WOW Day takes place during National Volunteer Week, which runs from May 19-25.
