Hannah Hammoud
Held annually during National Volunteer Week, Wear Orange Wednesday (WOW) is a day for the public to thank and acknowledge State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers for the invaluable contribution and commitment they make to local communities.
The work of volunteers can often be a thankless endeavour, but Wednesday, May 17, marks the national day of thanks dedicated to SES volunteers across Australia.
Whittlesea Unit Controller Gary Doorbar is serving in his 15th year of working with VICSES. He said that SES volunteers are at times confused with being a paid agency.
“Wear Orange Wednesday helps to celebrate that we are volunteers helping the community,” Mr Doorbar said.
Along with assisting police, ambulance and fire agencies, Mr Doorbar said SES volunteers are the first responders within VICSES for all calls from road rescue to trees on roads, domestic rescue, storm, flood and other natural events.
“Being able to support the community and other emergency services and community groups when needed is a great motivator,” he said.
Over the last 12 months, VICSES volunteers have responded to over 35,000 requests for assistance.
The last three years have been the busiest in VICSES history, following three consecutive years of La Nina which brought severe storms and major flooding.
During major flooding throughout the state last year, VICSES volunteers responded to 13,700 requests for assistance in October, which is its busiest calendar month on record.
VICSES chief executive Stephen Griffin said that WOW acknowledges the sacrifice volunteers make to help the community come rain, hail or shine.
“I continue to admire the remarkable and relentless efforts of our VICSES volunteers and thank you for your time and dedication, many of you go over and beyond and it is truly inspiring,” Mr Griffin said.
In celebration on WOW day Victorian landmarks including; Melbourne Town Hall and AAMI Park will be ‘flooded’ in orange.
The public is encouraged to show their support through sharing messages of thanks to SES volunteers on Facebook or Twitter, using the hashtag #ThankYouSES.
Details: bit.ly/3Ms7wlI
