Nicole Upton joined the NSW SES just over a year ago to give back to her community and set an example for her two daughters, drawing on her experience across mining, rail and construction in Australia and the UK, where her time with Mines Rescue developed the teamwork and emergency response skills that led her to the SES.
"I waited until I had the capacity alongside work and study, and when my daughters were a little older," Nicole said.
"It's incredibly rewarding to show my girls what community service looks like."
That example inspired her eldest daughter Elle, who applied to join the NSW SES on her 16th birthday, before even collecting her learner driver's licence.
"The first thing I did on my 16th birthday was submit my SES application, before I went to pick up my Ls," Elle said.
"I'd been to the NSW SES Cooranbong Unit with Mum a few times and it looked like a great way to help people and connect with the community."
Nicole's passion for volunteering is deeply personal. Growing up in Awaba, in Lake Macquarie, and inspired by her own mother's involvement in the local rural fire brigade, she witnessed firsthand the impact of volunteer emergency services when her family's property was affected by fire in the early 1990s.
"We lost fences, sheds and infrastructure, but the local brigade saved our home. That stayed with me and shaped my respect for volunteers," she said.
"Being able to model that same commitment for my own daughters feels very special."
Now, Nicole is passing those values onto both her daughters, with her youngest daughter Torah recently joining the NSW SES through the Youth Internship Program.
While Elle is still completing her training, she is already enjoying volunteering alongside her mum through training and community engagement activities.
"It's a great way to spend time together," Elle said.
One moment that stood out for Elle was seeing her mum return home after responding to a storm.
"Mum was exhausted, but she looked so fulfilled knowing she had helped people," she said.
Nicole acknowledges balancing volunteering with work and family life can be challenging.
"There's never a perfect time to volunteer, but if you can, it's incredibly rewarding for you and your family," she said.
This Mother's Day, Elle plans to spoil her mum.
"I'll ride down to our local flower shop and get Mum some of her favourite native flowers," she said.
Nicole and Elle hope their story encourages other families to consider volunteering together and experience the rewards of giving back.
