The Warragul SES Unit celebrated its 50th anniversary with a community open day and awards night.
This milestone event honoured five decades of dedicated volunteer service and showcased the vital work VICSES does in emergency response, community safety and resilience.
Highlights of the open day included live demonstrations, photo displays and kids' activities, with more than 100 visitors to the unit.
Following the open day, the unit hosted a celebration event at the Warragul Country Club where life memberships were awarded to nine outstanding individuals, including Shane Hewson, Peter Wood, Cath Wood, Rex Skinner, David Sparks, John McLennan, Rob Vermay, Wendy Shiels and the late Colin Shiels.
With more than 200 years of combined service, the members have each played an integral role in the unit and dedicated thousands of hours of their time to help to make the unit what it is today.
Life membership also was awarded posthumously to Colin Shiels.
The life members were commemorated for their service:
Cath Wood
Cath joined the Warragul Unit in 1990 and continued to serve operationally until 2022, making her one of the longest serving members. Together with her operational service, Cath played an instrumental role in co-ordinating the unit's administration and finance function for over three decades, ensuring the unit was able to function and grow.
Cath has received a number of commendations during her service, including long service medals and the National Medal in 2006 and 2020 (First Clasp). Attending 2041 incidents, Cath's experience both as an operational member and unit duty officer were testimony of her vast experience, dedication and service to our community.
Peter Wood
Joining the unit in 1988 and retiring from operational service in 2021, Peter made a significant and consistent contribution to the Warragul Unit over the past three decades. In addition to attending 1102 incidents during his service, Peter's greatest contribution was through the role of operations officer, ensuring the readiness and response capabilities of the unit were of a high standard – leading the way in the Gippsland region. Peter also officially served as the unit's training officer from 2008 to 2011, helping to mentor new members and maintain the capacity of the unit to respond to a high level.
David Sparks
David joined the unit in 1991 and continues today as deputy controller of operations. Since joining the unit, David has attended more than 1151 requests for assistance and has continuously gone above and beyond to provide support wherever possible. As a highly experienced member across key disciplines, David mentors many members, particularly in the road crash rescue space. David regularly guides training sessions and is a source of support for members both experienced and new.
Shane Hewson
Since joining the unit in 1986, Shane Hewson has consistently demonstrated a commitment to the success of the unit and its members. Throughout his service, Shane has responded to 1208 requests for assistance, playing an instrumental role in numerous critical incidents. In addition to his operational contributions, Shane has been a dedicated mentor, not only during training but also through on-the-job guidance.
He has consistently taken the time to support new members, encouraging their growth and helping them navigate complex situations. Shane's ability to engage in thoughtful discussions about each job, considering all possible options, has made him a respected and trusted figure among his peers.
Rex Skinner
Rex Skinner joined the unit in 1994 and remains actively involved. He has been an integral part of the unit, particularly through his extensive involvement in the mounted section, where he has contributed both operationally and as a mentor. Outside of his SES role, Rex is committed to his community. His involvement in organisations such as Riding for the Disabled reflects his broader interest in helping others.
Whether it's sourcing old cars for road crash rescue training, volunteering for external agencies, or offering a helping hand to someone in need, Rex's willingness to support those around him is one of his greatest attributes.
John McLennan
As a founding member of the Warragul unit in December 1975, John has played a pivotal role in the unit's development and success. His dedication and commitment have been instrumental in shaping the unit's operations, ensuring its growth, and advocating for the safety of its members. A strong advocate behind the unit's success, John has been a key figure in securing funding and sponsorship for the unit – from buildings through to vehicles and essential equipment.
He played a critical role in obtaining support from the Andrews Foundation, which contributed to establishment of the current local headquarters.
Wendy Shiels
Wendy joined the SES in 1978 and continued to serve until 2018. Alongside her operational duties, Wendy served as the section leader for administration from 1980 to 2009, providing vital support to the unit's management and operations. Wendy was heavily involved in the unit's fundraising efforts, working collaboratively with other members to raise the necessary funds to support the unit's operations and growth. Wendy's commitment, leadership, and teamwork have left a lasting impact on the unit, and her legacy of service continues to inspire future generations of SES volunteers.
Robert Vermay
Robert joined the unit in 1983 and served until the end of 2019, with significant contributions to the unit's operational effectiveness and supporting the community during emergencies. In addition to serving as a deputy controller from 1983 until 2008, Robert also was a dedicated peer support member from 1995 to 2012, demonstrating a strong commitment to the mental and emotional wellbeing of fellow SES members. Throughout his SES career, Robert has been passionate about the ongoing wellbeing of SES volunteers, ensuring they received the support they needed to perform at their best, both operationally and personally.
Colin Shiels
This life membership was awarded posthumously.
Colin joined the unit in 1977, serving as unit controller from 1985 to 2009. One of Colin's key achievements was his advocacy for the installation of red and blue lights on SES vehicles. In the early days, SES vehicles were only equipped with orange lights, which limited their visibility and posed a safety risk to members. Colin was instrumental in lobbying for the addition of red lights, and in the mid-90s, he continued his advocacy efforts by successfully lobbying for blue lights, ensuring SES vehicles were clearly identifiable and safer on the roads.
Colin's commitment to improving the unit extended beyond operational safety. He was a tireless advocate for securing the funds and resources necessary to improve the unit's capabilities, including the purchase of rescue vehicles, road crash rescue tools, air bags, and other essential rescue equipment. In addition to his advocacy for equipment, Colin played a crucial role in securing a local headquarters for the Warragul Unit. His lobbying efforts with the Warragul Shire Council led to successful establishment of the unit's headquarter in Queen St.