Local volunteers who risk their lives and safety in times of emergency have earned medals for their “significant service”.
State Emergency Service (SES) acknowledged around a dozen volunteers from several local units on Sunday, with chief officer Tim Wiebusch and south-west regional manager Alastair Drayton handing out the honours.
The Bellarine unit’s Andrew Turner received a medal for 15 years’ “diligent service”.
Mr Turner joined the Dunkeld unit in 2000 before transferring to Bellarine in 2009.
“I joined SES to become involved in the local community and do something different from my day job,” he said.
Mr Turner was involved “in all aspects” of the service, the SES said, including training volunteers, responding to road crash rescues, flood and storm events and utilising his IT skills where needed.
But he wasn’t the longest-serving medal winner at the weekend presentation, with the Geelong unit’s David Dixon honoured for 40 years’ service, alongside Colac’s Robert Burns.
“Forty years is outstanding service to one organisation and both David and Robert have made a significant contribution to the SES and the community”, Mr Drayton said.
Other medal recipients on Sunday were Bannockburn unit’s Shirley Littlewood and Morgana Boerner, Bellarine’s Nolla Vella and Renie Preston, Geelong’s Elijah Solly , South Barwon’s Andrew Welshe, Winchelsea’s Tara Renton and Gary McFarlane, and Colac’s Ian Trigg, James Ingram and Ian Carlton.
SES volunteers respond to various natural emergencies while also operating Victoria’s largest road rescue network. SES volunteers also support other agencies, such as Victoria Police and CFA.
