Today (Monday, 18 August, 2025) marks the beginning of State Emergency Service (SES) Week and Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) is taking a moment to thank the Region's 103 volunteers who continue to serve our community with courage, compassion and commitment.
Chair of the Toowoomba Local Disaster Management Group and Toowoomba Region Mayor Councillor Geoff McDonald said SES Week is an important event which highlights the critical work the Region's volunteers undertake.
"We owe a huge debt of thanks to the SES volunteers who bravely and selflessly serve our community," Mayor McDonald said.
"Already this year across our Region's nine SES groups, our volunteers have given up more than 3000 hours of their own time to help members of our community, which is truly remarkable."
"In preparation for ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfed back in March, our volunteers shovelled over 220 tonnes of sand to provide at risk residents with sandbags to protect their homes. They have also travelled north to Townsville and west to Charleville and Adavale, to assist communities with their immediate recovery after experiencing severe flooding events."
"Other than responding to disaster situations, our SES volunteers have also assisted Queensland Police Service with missing person searches on foot and in flood boats and attended several local community events to lend a helping hand."
SES volunteers are often resolute in their commitment to serving their community.
They need to maintain a broad range of capabilities and complete ongoing training to regularly update their skills.
"The service our volunteers provide is essential; they aid and protect our community in countless ways," Mayor McDonald said.
"On behalf of all of Council, I sincerely thank each of our 103 SES volunteers for their dedication and noble service. Our SES volunteers in many ways form the backbone of our emergency response and they continue to put their community needs above their own. I encourage all Toowoomba Region residents to join in saying thank you this SES Week and every week."
Framed certificates signed by the Mayor will be given out to each of the nine SES groups in the Region to celebrate their service and commemorate this year's SES milestone of 50 years protecting Queensland communities.
If you are interested in becoming an SES volunteer, please visit: Join us | State Emergency Service
Photo caption (top): Three of the Region's SES volunteers accepting the Pittsworth SES, Toowoomba SES and Crows Nest SES Certificates of Appreciation signed by Mayor McDonald.
Photo caption (bottom): Toowoomba Region SES volunteers earlier this year, hard at work packing sandbags in preparation for ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
