Brand-new VICSES Point Cook Unit officially opens its doors to support community

Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) Point Cook Unit volunteers are well-prepared to provide emergency support across their local community, after the brand-new unit was officially unveiled this week.

Servicing an important growth area in Melbourne’s west, Point Cook is one of four brand-new VICSES Units to commence operations this year, alongside VICSES Aintree, Cranbourne and Officer Units.

Point Cook MP Mathew Hilakari was on hand alongside VICSES staff and local volunteers to mark the event and officially open the facility on 6 December.

After beginning recruitment 12 months ago, VICSES Point Cook Unit’s inaugural volunteer-base has grown into one of the state’s most culturally and linguistically diverse, with many of the unit’s members having only moved to Australia in the last decade.

A widely-respected and renowned VICSES volunteer in his own right, inaugural Unit Controller Laurie Russell said overseeing the onboarding and training of an entirely new cohort of volunteers had been an opportunity to treasure.

Having previously spent almost 25 years as Unit Controller after being involved in the founding of nearby VICSES Wyndham Unit, Laurie has unique experience in building new units from the ground up, and has thoroughly enjoyed learning of the unique journeys each of his volunteers have taken before joining the VICSES Point Cook Unit.

He said the camaraderie and commitment the unit’s volunteers have showcased throughout their training and since becoming operational in recent months has been remarkable, with the unit’s roster of accredited rescue truck drivers growing eight-fold, and several volunteers now capable of safely operating a chainsaw to clear fallen debris.

VICSES Point Cook Unit volunteers are continuing to build their capacity alongside their VICSES Wyndham Unit neighbours, training and turning out to incidents alongside each other regularly, while using their brand-new headquarters as the perfect base of operations to strengthen relationships with other nearby first responders.

The state-of-the-art facility features six drive-through motor bays, a modern kitchen, training room and office space, as well as a range of amenities including a backup generator and wheelchair access.

Able to cater for up to 70 volunteers at capacity, the VICSES Point Cook Unit will also play an important role in bolstering emergency service presence in the City of Wyndham, which is forecast to see a 110 per cent increase in population by 2030.

To find out more about volunteering with VICSES, visit www.ses.vic.gov.au/join-us.

Quotes attributable to Laurie Russell, VICSES Point Cook Unit Controller

“It makes me so proud to see how far the unit and its diverse group of volunteers have come in the last 12 months.

“Our state-of-the-art facility is the perfect outlet to develop the next generation of volunteers who are driven to give back to their local community.”

Quotes attributable to Kate White, VICSES Interim Chief Executive Officer

“This is an extremely exciting time for VICSES Point Cook Unit volunteers and VICSES’ Western Region, with the brand-new unit to service a rapidly-growing area of Melbourne’s western suburbs.

“VICSES plays a vital role in tens of thousands of emergencies each year, and the new VICSES Point Cook Unit will further bolster our capacity to turn out in support of our communities in their times of need.”