NT Emergency Services volunteers celebrated, recognised on Wear Orange Wednesday

The Darwin CBD was inundated with a sea of orange-clad volunteers – with the aim of acknowledging their hard work. Find out what inspired them.

Aushim Merchant, Seth Dugdell and Anish Chhatkuli on WOW Day (Wear Orange Wednesday). Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“A learning attitude” is all Anish Chhatkuli says you need to become a volunteer.

“When somebody requires your help, you can just pop in to support them, cheer them up, or even help them carry a bag of sand,” the Northern Territory Emergency Services (NTES) volunteer said.

“It’s as simple as that; it doesn’t require certain qualities, just enthusiasm, motivations and the attitude to help others.”

Territorians celebrated volunteers such as Mr Chhatkuli on Wednesday as part of Wear Orange Wednesday (WOW), a day that both recognises the volunteers of NTES and coincides with National Volunteer Week.

Anish Chhatkuli said that you only need a learning attitude to be a volunteer. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

WOW Day holds a particular significance this year, as NTES commemorate 50 years of service to the NT since its formation in the way of Cyclone Tracy in 1974.

Territorians were encouraged to wear orange, host orange-themed morning teas, and send letters of kindness to thank NTES volunteers for their service to mark the day.

John Randall and Paddy Platypus both rocked the orange. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“You are just giving to the community, but when you get recognised it feels amazing, like you are being appreciated,” Mr Chhatkuli said.

Being a volunteer gave Mr Chhatkuli a sense of belonging, he said.

“I love it, it’s just giving back to the community where you belong,” he said.

“You are there to help the people; that’s why I love being a volunteer.”

Rhys Edwards said that without the volunteers, NTES would not exist. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

NTES community engagement officer Rhys Edwards said that to some the day was like Christmas and Easter rolled into one.

“Everyone does this for the right reasons; everyone wants to contribute to the community and help their neighbours,” he said.

“But it is also nice to be able to call people down and have the public say ‘Thank you’.

“As an organisation, we thank them all the time, because without them we don’t exist.”

Smith St Mall was flooded with a sea of orange. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Mr Edwards said he encouraged everyone of all abilities to try out being a volunteer for NTES.

“Don’t worry about whether or not you have a certain skill set or a certain level of ability; there’s not a mould that you have to fit as a volunteer,” he said.

“You might be someone with amazing administrative skills, a background in catering, a photographer — if you have something that you want to contribute and the time to do it, we can find a home for you, and we can find a way to help you do that.”

Originally published as NT Emergency Services volunteers celebrated, recognised on Wear Orange Wednesday