State Emergency Service Week is an important time in our calendar as we honour the hard work and dedication of the thousands of Queensland SES volunteers who serve our communities.
The week will conclude with the Queensland SES State Awards Ceremony next weekend, where the most outstanding and exemplary volunteers are recognised and awarded for their service.
Let's introduce you to a handful of the State Awards finalists who will all be headed to Brisbane for the State Awards Ceremony on Saturday, 23 August.
Meet Chris Jones
Chris Jones of South East Region is a finalist for the Member of the Year Award and has been volunteering with the SES for just over 10 years.
Life, both in and out of SES, are "full-throttle" for Chris, who works full time while completing an apprenticeship, plus being a proud and busy dad to four beautiful daughters under the age of 10.
Tropical Cyclone Alfred proved to be an incredibly memorable experience for Chris, personally and professionally!
"I had just welcomed a newborn at home, yet stepped into the role of Operations Officer for the Gold Coast during the first week of the weather event. Meeting the Prime Minister and Queensland Premier was an honour, but what meant the most was leading and working alongside SES members from all over Australia who came to support us."
Chris' passion for helping the community is contagious.
"I love being part of a team that genuinely makes a difference. The people, the team culture, the laughs, and that feeling of being part of something bigger, it's like an extended family… just one that wears high-vis and doesn't mind climbing on roofs at 2am."
Meet Lyn Porter
Lyn Porter is currently Acting Deputy Local Controller of the Mount Morgan SES Group in Central Region and a finalist for the SES Trainer of the Year award. Lyn has been volunteering with the SES for a casual 30 years. 30 years! That's an achievement in itself.
Lyn balances work as a Teacher Aide at her local high school, along with spending time with her seven grandchildren and making time for her volunteering commitments. She attends SES HQ every afternoon to complete administrative tasks such as managing new members, organising activities for training nights, fundraising responsibilities and ensuring equipment is well maintained.
Her most memorable experience was her first deployment during Cyclone Larry in 2006.
"Seeing the damage and devastation the cyclone caused and the effect it had on the communities. I had never witnessed this before and it was hard to comprehend what those affected were feeling," says Lyn.
Lyn became a victim of Cyclone Marcia in 2015, which she feels has strengthened her ability to connect with communities during disasters.
"Having lost my roof and had belongings destroyed during Cyclone Marcia and knowing how it affected me, I feel I can now be more empathetic when dealing with others in the same situation."
Meet Edwin Sleep
Don't be fooled by his name, Edwin is an active and energetic member of SES who signed up as soon as he could, joining when he was 16. Edwin has now been volunteering with SES for three years and is a finalist for the Young Member of the Year award.
When he's not flipping chickens at Red Rooster, Edwin is always looking for ways to assist his community.
His most memorable experience with SES so far was assisting with traffic control on a call-out.
"There was a planned burn and we had to go and assist with traffic control. This is a moment I'll never forget. It was a different environment and different way to work, it was so much fun."
Edwin speaks highly of the skills he has learned and the friends he has made so far in SES.
"I have learnt so much and helped the community so much. Even with my future career, these skills will be of great assistance. SES is all about learning new skills, making new friends and assisting the community."
Meet Jan Dwyer
Jan Dwyer of Brisbane Region is the Depuy controller of the Moreton Bay Unit and in the running for the Trainer of the Year State Award.
Jan has been volunteering with SES for nearly 10 years. She notes there really isn't such thing as a 'typical day in the SES' due to the diversity of opportunities available.
"In a nutshell, learning new skills and knowledge, training members in a range of courses from their first course with us to working safely at heights, and getting out in the field when I can to support the community."
Across her 10 years, Jan has accumulated many memorable experiences.
Jan is Group Leader of both the Bribie Island group and award-winning Deception Bay group who received State Group of the Year in 2023 after all working extremely hard to rebuild the Group.
"On the operational side of things is deploying to Cains in 2023 before TC Jasper and being sent to Mossman prior to the Cyclone reaching the coast, again a small team in an area working together to assistance the community. Every experience provides lessons and challenges and gives me opportunities to volunteer with others. These times can be challenging but also so rewarding," says Jan.
Like Chris, Lyn, Edwin and Jan, you could also help communities prepare for and respond to disasters, while developing lifelong skills and friendships.
Queensland State Emergency Service (SES) is celebrating SES Week from August 18 to August 24.
For more information about volunteering with Queensland SES, go to https://www.ses.qld.gov.au/join-us
For assistance with a life-threatening situation phone Triple Zero (000) immediately.
For assistance with non-life-threatening situations - such as help with a damaged roof or storm damage - phone SES on 132 500.
Keep up to date with the latest weather advice at Queensland Warnings Summary (bom.gov.au).
