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VICSES volunteers honoured in local government awards

30/01/2025, 1:38 PM
VICSES Warragul Unit volunteers celebrate being named Baw Baw Shire Council's Community Organisation of the Year. Photo courtesy of Baw Baw Shire Council.

A Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) unit in the state’s east has been heralded for its unwavering commitment to its local community, as part of recent Australia Day award initiatives held across the state.

In a year which saw VICSES Warragul Unit volunteers called to more than 975 requests for assistance (RFAs) from their community, members were acknowledged for their tireless work by Baw Baw Shire Council, named Community Organisation of the Year at a ceremony last week.

More than 600 of the unit’s callouts in 2024 related to downed trees, after major storms tore through west Gippsland and the Baw Baw Shire in February, August and September.

Thunderstorms during the latter saw VICSES Warragul Unit volunteers active for more than a week, clearing trees and supporting community members with the assistance of NSWSES deployed throughout Gippsland.

Throughout a historically busy year for the unit, Volunteers also attended more than 100 instances of building damage, largely driven by storm activity, and more than 50 RFAs relating to road crash and other rescue responses.

The increased demand saw the unit’s 40-strong membership-base turnout at all hours of the day and night and exceed the unit’s 2020 decade-high by more than 200 RFAs, while still finding time to regularly train and build community preparedness at a range of local events, including the Warragul Show and the Gippsland Pride Cup.

The award also recognised cumulative efforts by volunteers throughout the unit’s 50-year history, and the crucial response capability they provide alongside emergency service partners throughout Baw Baw Shire.

VICSES Cobram Unit was named Moira Shire's Community Organisation of the Year.

In the state’s north, VICSES volunteers were also honoured as part of Moira Shire’s community awards ceremony, with VICSES Cobram Unit named Community Organisation of the Year, acknowledging the hard work and dedication of volunteers in responding to more than 100 RFAs throughout the year.

VICSES Yarrawonga Unit's Nikita Carroll was named Moira Shire's Young Citizen of the Year.

VICSES Yarrawonga Unit volunteer Nikita Carroll was also named Moira Council’s Young Citizen of the Year, celebrating her commitment to building VICSES hazard awareness and resilience throughout her local community.

Quotes attributable to Paul Tandberg, VICSES Warragul Unit Controller:

“I’m so proud of the way VICSES Warragul Unit members have stood up over the last 12 months to support their community in its time of need.

“Whether it’s getting to training, engaging with our community or responding to requests for assistance, our volunteers are committed to seeing the unit thrive.

“We don’t do these things to be acknowledged, but it’s humbling for our volunteers to receive this recognition and to feel the support reciprocated by our community.”