Fifty years on and much has changed - purpose-built facilities, equipment, training programs and uniforms. But one thing remains the same: Mr Benson's unwavering commitment to helping others.
"There were 12-15 members back then and we used to wear arm bands, so people knew who we were. We worked on storm damage, searches in rural and suburban areas and assisted the bushfire brigade during fires," Mr Benson said.
"Now we have incredible resources, training, and support and I'm proud to have been here to witness the service grow."
Last week, Mr Benson marked half a century of dedicated service to the NSW SES with his Unit putting on a surprise morning tea to honour the milestone. The celebration comes during a landmark year for the NSW SES, as the service proudly marks its 70th anniversary.
The Sutherland Unit's longest continually serving member first joined when he was 28 years old, after his Rovers Scout crew in Engadine folded due to numbers declining.
"I had been involved in scouts since I was eight years old, so I thought I would try something different," Mr Benson said.
Over the years, Mr Benson has worn many hats at the Unit - from Team Leader, Rescue Officer, Stores and Equipment Officer (where he ensured equipment was always ready), Operations and Administration Officer, his dedication has always shone through.
He's been on the frontline of local emergencies in the Sutherland Shire, including the 2018 Menai fires, Royal National Park bushfires and the 2019/20 and 2020 Waterfall bushfires, earning him national and state medals.
But his work has extended beyond the local community, with deployments to the Thredbo landslide, Hunter area storms, Newcastle earthquake and Canberra fires.
At 78 years old, Mr Benson still attends the Unit on a weekly basis, now with a newfound passion for nurturing the next generation of NSW SES volunteers. His latest venture has been leading the youth mentorship program.
NSW SES Local Commander of the Shire Cluster, John Gonzalez, said Roger has a remarkable ability to make everyone feel welcome, especially new volunteers.
"He leads by example and is always ready with a story that inspires, teaches, or simply brings a smile," Chief Inspector Gonzalez said.
"His knowledge and dedication is irreplaceable within our cluster."
When reflecting on 70 years of the NSW SES, Mr Benson said the service has come a long way, and has one piece of advice for those thinking of joining:
"Just give it a go. There's a lot of job satisfaction, you'll learn a lot, meet great people, and you might stay longer than you think."
