VICSES Marong Unit volunteers celebrated for life-saving rescue

Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) Marong Unit volunteers have been honoured on a national stage, following the successful rescue of a man swept down a flooded creek near Wedderburn earlier this year.

Five volunteers from VICSES Marong Unit and one from VICSES Bendigo Unit were named the inaugural winners of the Australian Search and Rescue Awards’ ‘Professional Volunteer Award’ at a ceremony in Sydney on 17 October, in recognition of their extraordinary efforts during the Bendigo floods of January 2024.

VICSES Marong Unit Deputy Controller James was on hand to accept the award on behalf of the Marong Land-Based Swift Water Rescue (LBSWR) VICSES team, which responded to the high-priority water rescue on January 2, 2024.

Alongside fellow VICSES Marong volunteers Peter, David, Steve and Trent as well as Chantelle from nearby Bendigo Unit, VICSES volunteers worked to secure an occupied vehicle which had been washed off a causeway and begun careening downstream shortly after 6pm.

With one patient and their dog trapped inside the vehicle, James sprinted along the bank with a personal floatation device (PFD) and assisted others who had become trapped in the waist-deep water, while a crew of volunteers in a utility raced to get ahead of the vehicle.

Knowing the volunteer responders would likely only have one opportunity to access the patient with a rescue line, when the submerged vehicle briefly became snagged on debris in the creek, James tossed a line with precision into the flowing water, and successfully helped the driver to shore.

The patient’s dog was also able to free itself from the vehicle and safely swim from the creek, when it was reunited with its owner.

Both were safely brought to shore moments before the vehicle became fully submerged and washed further down the flooded creek.

VICSES Marong Unit is one of many VICSES Units across the state which specialise in LBSWR, and volunteers train meticulously to provide a timely and precise search and rescue capability for their local community.

The success of this rescue highlights the teamwork, training and courage in the face of adversity of VICSES volunteers, and acknowledges their capacity to efficiently and effectively respond in high-stress and life-threatening situations.

Quotes attributable to James Plowright, VICSES Marong Unit Deputy Controller

“As VICSES volunteers we work hard to ensure we’re prepared for any emergency scenario, and we’re all very proud to have played an important role in potentially saving lives during this highly demanding incident.

“We were in the right place at the right time, and our years of training paid off in a significant way for the Wedderburn community.

“It’s humbling to accept this award on behalf of all of the hard-working and dedicated volunteers of the VICSES Marong Unit.”