Terry Chapman marks 45 years in the SES

After the 1974 floods ravaged his Brisbane unit, Terry Chapman was compelled to join the newly formed State Emergency Service. Mr Chapman says one thing has kept him volunteering for the past 45 years.

Terry Chapman has been a member of the SES for 45 years.

In 1974, Terry Chapman lost all of his possessions when the floods ravaged his Brisbane unit.

Six months later Mr Chapman, then 25, received a knock at his door.

“The chap said he was from a new organisation called the State Emergency Service,” Mr Chapman said.

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“He said they would manage things better next time and would I like to join.”

Mates give a hand to try to move a car trapped by flood waters in Margaret S, Brisbane, during the '74 floods. Picture by Geoff McLachlan 30/1/1974

Mr Chapman, now 69, was one of the first batch of volunteers to sign up to the SES.

After 45 years, he said the SES has been a big part of his life.

Over the years Mr Chapman has helped in the aftermath of floods and cyclones from Logan to Charleville.

Mr Chapman, pictured right, with the Logan SES crew after they returned from Rockhampton in 2011.

He has assisted police search for missing people and once helped co-ordinate the successful return of a Waterford baby missing for more than 40 hours.

Mr Chapman met his wife Elizabeth, also an SES member, through the organisation 26 years ago.

He said it was the “quality of people” who volunteer that has kept him in the SES for so long.

“I intensely admire those people,” he said.

“Their initiative, their drive, compassion.”

With 180 members at Logan SES, numbers are strong but Logan controller Jim Ferguson said the group are always looking for more hands.

Logan SES will hold its first induction and information session on Monday, January 14 at Daisy Hill.

If you would like to find out more, call Mr Ferguson on 07 3209 5522.