For VICSES assistance call 132 500
Emergency Call 1 Emergency Call 2

VICSES Barwon Southwest volunteers honoured for outstanding service

19/03/2025, 11:14 AM
VICSES Colac Unit volunteers were well represented at the VICSES Barwon Southwest Region awards ceremony at the weekend. 

Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) volunteers from the state’s southwest have been honoured for their ongoing service to their communities, as part of the organisation’s first regional awards evening for the year.

Held annually in each of VICSES’ emergency response regions, these events acknowledge the tireless efforts of VICSES volunteers and staff, and highlight the vital role our members play in keeping their communities safe in emergency situations.

Saturday’s event, held in Colac, saw service awards presented to members with almost 400 years of combined VICSES experience across Barwon Southwest region, including several volunteers honoured for more than 30 years of volunteering individually.

Among the cohort were three VICSES Camperdown Unit foundation members, with Leslie Mulholland, Philip Robertson and Robert Gardner receiving clasps acknowledging 45 years of service, having played a vital role in establishing the unit in October 1979.

Both Leslie and Philip continue to volunteer with the unit in a support role, while Robert can still be found responding to requests for assistance (RFAs) from the local community alongside the unit’s operational volunteer-base.

(From left) VICSES Operations Officer Chris Longmore, VICSES Acting Chief Officer Operations Alistair Drayton, VICSES Camperdown Unit volunteers Robert Gardner, Philip Robertson, Benjamin O'Leary, Leslie Mulholland and VICSES Assistant Chief Officer Jackson Bell.

VICSES Torquay Unit volunteer Colin Veitch received a clasp recognising his 30 years of dedicated service to the coastal community, while volunteers and staff representing VICSES Colac, Dartmoor, Geelong Office, Hamilton, Heywood, Lismore and Portland were honoured for periods of service stretching from five to 15 years.

Several National Medals were also awarded to attendees during the event, acknowledging exceptional and diligent service to VICSES and their communities during times of emergency.

Recipients included Dean Petrisevic (Barwon South West Regional Unit – 15 Years), Rachel Vella (Bellarine Unit – 15 Years), Elizabeth Young, James Ingram and Daniel Zappelli (Colac Unit – 15 Years), Russell Pearson (Lismore Unit – 35 Years) and Phillip Worrell (Port Fairy Unit – 15 Years).

VICSES Port Fairy Unit Controller Hannah Morris received a VICSES Excellence in Innovation award for her work on VICSES' onboarding process for new members, presented by VICSES Acting Chief Officer Operations Alistair Drayton.

VICSES Port Fairy Unit Controller Hannah Morris and Geelong-based staff member Chris Longmore also received awards for excellence in innovations, acknowledging their efforts in streamlining VICSES’ onboarding process to train and retain more volunteers.

The award ceremony follows a busy 2024 for VICSES Barwon Southwest Region volunteers, who were called to more than 4,400 RFAs from their communities last year.

Quotes attributable to Alistair Drayton, VICSES Acting Chief Officer Operations:

“VICSES volunteers have gone above and beyond over the last 50 years to provide vital support to their communities during times of emergency.

“It’s always fantastic to be able to acknowledge the inspiring and vital work our members have done with their respective units over extended periods of time.”