SES heroes thanked for tireless service

Volunteers thanked at SES Week awards for decades of service and saving lives in emergencies.

Regional Unit of the Year, Wallumbilla SES, alongside their colleagues in the Rural Fire Service. Picture: Jorja McDonnell

LOCAL SES heroes from Stanthorpe to Cunnamulla were awarded for their service on Saturday, at a small ceremony in Wallumbilla.

The event marked the start of Queensland's SES week, which acknowledges the work of State Emergency Service volunteers from across the state.

Regional Manager of the southwest SES, Rob Bundy, said the service, and SES week at large, was about acknowledging the huge commitment made by each member.

"SES week is an important date in our calendar; it gives us the opportunity to pause and reflect on the efforts and contributions of our volunteers.

"This week is a time to say thank you to the volunteers, not only for the time they put in when events occur, but also the time they so generously give to ensure they are a skilled and professional rescue organisation.”

At the Wallumbilla combined emergency services base, volunteers from across southwest Queensland received awards for long service, meritorious service, and providing life saving assistance in emergencies.

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SES WEEK HONOURS:

National Medal for Long and Diligent Service.

15 Years:

• Russell Carnell, Stanthorpe.
• Emiline Creevey, Stanthorpe.
• Sean Palmer, Stanthorpe.
• Albert Piper, Stanthorpe.
• Phillip Skilton, Stanthorpe.
• Mark Sweeney, Gatton.

25 years:

• Graham York, Wallumbilla.
• Stephen Long, Miles.

35 years:

• Ozzie Philipson, Gatton.

Meritorious Service Medal.

10 years:

• Damien Cross, Warwick.
• Dennis Walker, Warwick.

15 years:

• Russell Carnell, Stanthorpe.
• Sean Palmer, Stanthorpe.
• Albert Piker, Stanthorpe.
• Phillip Skilton, Stanthorpe.

20 years:

• Dawn Corello, Forest Hill.
• Stuart Maunder, Wallumbilla.

Commissioner's 40 Years Service Shield.

• Elizabeth Nolan, Roma.
• Neville Davison, Tara.
• Irene Baxter, Yowah.
• Errol Baxter, Yowah.
• Grant Green, Surat.
• John Eulie, Warwick.

SES Week Awards:

• Barry Kerr, Chinchilla.

For providing a professional response in delivering a life-saving treatment to an injured person during an SES activity.

• Jayden Hughes, Tara.

For providing a professional response in delivering a life-saving treatment to an injured person during an SES activity.

• Sean Mitchell, Warwick.

For displaying exceptional commitment to the running of the Warwick SES unit, undertaking various administrative and operational tasks

• Michael Bell, Stanthorpe.

For going above and beyond in leadership of the Stanthorpe SES.

• Albert Piper, Stanthorpe.

For leading and developing members of the Stanthorpe group, despite many personal challenges.

• Russell Carnell, Stanthorpe.

For leading the development and implementation of a successful community engagement program, resulting in the recruitment of new members.

• Sean Palmer, Stanthorpe.

For leading a team of SES members to extricate a casualty safely.

Regional Trainer of the Year.

• Peter Arace, Yowah.

For distinguished service to SES groups within the western area, in the areas of training and administration; delivering all high risk training and foundation skills training in the Roma, Paroo, and Murweh areas and more; and travelling thousands of kilometres to provide his experience to the western group.

Regional Operation Response of the Year.

• Warwick SES.

For excellence in delivery of a search and rescue operation response for a missing child, and the co-ordination of resources during that search in a challenging environment.

Regional SES Member of the Year.

• Fergus Seawright, Wallumbilla.

For distinguished service to the SES, outstanding support and dedication to the Wallumbilla group and the Wallumbilla community.

Fergus was instrumental in the development of the Wallumbilla joint emergency service facility, and his commitment to the project was integral in ensuring it's completion.

Regional SES Unit of the Year.

• Wallumbilla SES.

For outstanding commitment and exemplary service to the Maranoa and southwest region.

Mr Bundy said Wallumbilla is incredibly deserving of the recognition this SES Week.

"As we know, the SES does much more than storms and floods, which is why it seems fitting that we have today's ceremony here at Wallumbilla.”

As a group, they have attended more road accidents than any other in the state, and Mr Bundy praised the hosts for being first responders to any emergency in the area.

"The Wallumbilla is one of five groups in the Maranoa, and is to be commended for their professionalism, commitment, and proactive and efficient attitude - evident as they respond to incidents around the region.

"The group is highly active in road crash rescue, and also take on a fire fighting role alongside the Wallumbilla Rural Fire Service.

"Their awards are very much deserved, because the group out here never cease to amaze me,” he said.

"Well done to the Wallumbilla SES.”

Originally published as SES heroes thanked for tireless service