Western Downs SES celebrate Wear Orange Wednesday at Dalby Bunnings
Whether you’re surrounded by floodwaters, or standing among them desperately searching for a missing child in the bush, orange jumpsuits are always a welcome sight in Queensland.
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Whether you’re surrounded by floodwaters waiting for much assistance, or joining with them to desperately search for a missing child, orange jumpsuits are always a welcome sight in Queensland.
Communities across Queensland have donned orange to support and thank local SES volunteers on Wednesday, with the Western Downs unit setting up shop at Bunnings in Dalby.
Equipped with cupcakes and photo boards, the region’s unit were all smiles as they were greeted by members of the community at a special morning tea.
Western Downs local controller Sharn Pogan said it was an important opportunity to bring the unit together and celebrate their tireless efforts during floods, fires, crashes, and emergency situations.
“Today is important because we all get up every morning to make a difference, and people have been telling us how much we’ve helped them in the last few years,” Mrs Pogan said.
“The biggest thing for us is when we’re activated, you may not want to see us in your everyday life, but you have a sigh of relief when you do.
“It warms your heart that people can feel relaxed and relieved when they see orange in their yards, of when they call and we say we’ll be there.
“You know you can walk away and people will feel more at ease and relaxed after we’ve helped.”
These brave orange heroes witness tragic events everyday, with the case of Ruby Gulliver still fresh in her group’s minds three months on.
Hundreds of people, included SES volunteers, united to scour a 1500 hectare Tara property for missing toddler Ruby on March 8, only for her body to be discovered in a dam 70m from her home.
Mrs Pogan said they participated in the land search to find the missing child, with the event being quite harrowing for the team.
“It had a fairly big impact on us, not just as volunteers, but everyday people,” she said.
“We got through and did the job, but it was stuck in a lot of people’s minds afterwards.
“It serves as a good remind to help one another, love one another, and look after each other.”
The Western Downs SES encompasses eight units across the region, and have made waves in the community in the last 18 months.
SES volunteer Tanya Wittmann was presented with an excellence award for her tireless efforts with the ‘Empower Women Project’ earlier this year by the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services.
Mrs Pogan said the unit had also been working on releasing songs and a verse book later in the year.
Overall, Mrs Pogan said her and her team were extremely grateful for the kindness and generosity of the Western Downs community, and appreciate the region rallying around them on their annual day of celebration.