In recognition of her efforts and commitment to serving, Marilyn George was awarded a lifetime SES membership earlier this month.

Ms George began her journey in 1995, sparked by a chance encounter with Rod Jacobs, a Cairns SES controller at the time.

During a severe storm that wasn’t “quite a cyclone”, the SES controller reached out to Ms George for help wanting to use her expertise as a radio operator.

“It wasn’t a common skill set back then,” she said.

Her background as a security officer, equipped her with the skills needed for radio control to help the Royal Australian Doctor Service.

“I was just a security officer, but I learned on the job how to connect doctors with aircraft,” she said.

“Back then the Royal Australian Doctor Service went to security companies because we had radio contact and we could patch doctors through to the plane, or doctors through to doctors.”

Little did she know, this call from Mr Jacobs would change the course of her life.

“They called me and said they really needed a radio operator and asked if I was willing to come in,” she said.

“I thought, OK, I’d like to do this because I wasn’t near my parents at the time, and I would like to think that someone would go in and help my parents if they needed it.”

After a week of door knocking and community checks, Ms George said a passion had been ignited in her along with a desire to make a difference “when it mattered most”.

Building on her unique skills, which would prove vital in her future work with the SES, she has also undertaken every course available, from storm damage to height safety.

“I did every course in the SES curriculum. It’ll be coming up to 30 years soon,” she said.

Throughout her extensive career, Ms George has participated in numerous emergency operations, including the recent cyclone that swept through Cairns last December.

“I think I only had one day off during that whole time,” she said.

Ms George dedication to helping others has been described by her SES colleagues as “unwavering” and she takes pride in helping the Far North community especially those in distress, often working long hours alongside her SES team to provide relief and support.

“We’d go to Innisfail, we went out to Holloway’s to help out there and we worked with the rural fires, washing out houses.

“Some people had to go back to work, but the people that would help would be there.”

But what makes her especially commendable to her SES family is her energiser bunny attitude and gumption.

“Her life isn’t just about the work she does with the SES, she is also a full-time carer for her son, she balances all her commitments with grace,” a spokesman for the SES said.

Ms George also looks after her son, Raymond, who has a number of health conditions.

“He’s my first priority,” she said.

“He always will be.”

During her own battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which she was diagnosed with in 2015, she said the support from her SES community became “a lifeline”.

“They were there for me when I needed it most,” she said.

During her interview with the Cairns Post, Ms George was caring for nine puppies and a Bull Mastiff who she saved from euthanasia.

“It was a big responsibility, but I couldn’t let them down,” she said.

Her son, Raymond, took a liking to one of the puppies and adopted him, naming him “Tiny”.

Ms George has lived in Cairns since 1996 and said she “appreciated” the community she has built here.

“The SES is like another family,” she said.

“When you’re away from your own family, they’re there for you.”

A bond she said was “vital”, especially when navigating so many responsibilities.

As she looks to the future, Ms George said she was committed to continuing her work with the SES.

“I have to take things day by day,” she said.

“But I want to continue my work with the community and the SES for as long as I can.”

Her final message?

Join the SES — learn new skills, create lasting friendships and give back to your community.

emma.cam@news.com.au