The official journal of the NSW SES Volunteers Association the Issue 56 | June 2021 VolunteerISSN 1445-3886 | PP 100018972 Living with PTSD? We Can Help Moving Beyond Trauma is a 5-day residential program designed to assist people with PTSD reclaim their lives. Volunteer The program draws on an understanding of trauma, its eff ect on the brain and teaches practical skills and tools which bring relief to the troubled body, mind and spirit. Based on the latest research on health, healing and neuroscience, our nationally acclaimed programs are delivered by a highly qualifi ed professional team in a safe and confi dential environment. BOOK NOW Call 1300 941 488 for more information or visit www.questforlife.org.au Dates 7-11 June 5-9 July 16-20 August 13-17 September 18-22 October NDIS Provider. Subsidies available. Speak to us if you’re covered by worker’s compensation. Special Off er for The Volunteer Magazine readers $200 off the program fee if you mention ‘The Volunteer Magazine’ when booking Josh Wilson Carpentry “All Aspect of Carpentry” Composite Decking Specialists Find us on Facebook & Instagram: @joshwilsoncarpentryau Servicing Greater Sydney Please call Josh on Mob: 0487 627 253 Email: [email protected] Proudly Supporting our NSW SES Volunteers the Volunteer NSW SES VOLUNTEERS ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS President of the Board of Directors Vice President Kim Davis ESM (Captains Flat) Shannon Crofton ESM CF (Metro Zone) [email protected] [email protected] Managing Director Director Erin Pogmore (Metro Zone) Megan Hamblin (Wellington) [email protected] [email protected] NSW SES VOLUNTEERS ASSOCIATION COORDINATORS Patricia Johnson Selina Thomas Flower Coordinator Mental Health Coordinator Adam Jones Cory McMillan Member Benefits Coordinator Mental Health Coordinator Anthorr Nomchong Teddy Haryjanto Member Recognition Coordinator Mental Health Coordinator VA Rep NSW SES Awards Committee Cheryl Goodchild Membership Coordinator CRITICAL INCIDENT SUPPORT PROGRAM 1800 626 800 CONTRIBUTIONS Content for The Volunteer Photography should only be supplied digitally, please avoid scanning of any type. Text can be supplied as a Microsoft Word document. Please send all content to: The Volunteer Editor: Advertisers Alert Countrywide Austral Carlee Maccoll Countrywide Austral is appointed by the New Level 2, 310 King Street, Melbourne Unit 1, 2-6 Lindsay Street, Rockdale NSW 2216 South Wales State Emergency Service Volunteers Postal: GPO Box 2466, Phone: 1300 0 SES VA Association as the authorised publisher of Melbourne 3001 Email: [email protected] The Volunteer. For enquiries re advertising in this Ph: (03) 9937 0200 Fax: (03) 9937 0201 magazine, please contact the publishers: Email: [email protected] DISCLAIMER: Countrywide Austral (“Publisher”) advises that the contents of this publication are the sole discretion of the New South Wales State Emergency Service Volunteers Association and the publication is offered for information purposes only. The publication has been formulated in good faith and the Publisher believes its contents to be accurate, however, the contents do not amount to a recommendation (either expressly or by implication) and should not be relied upon in lieu of specific professional advice. The Publisher disclaims all responsibility for any loss or damage which may be incurred by any reader relying upon the information contained in the publication whether that loss or damage is caused by any fault or negligence on the part of the publisher, its directors and employees. COPYRIGHT: All advertisements appearing in this publication are subject to copyright and may not be reproduced except with the consent of the owner of the copyright. ADVERTISING: Advertisements in this journal are solicited from organisations and businesses on the understanding that no special considerations other than those normally accepted in respect of commercial dealings, will be given to any advertiser. NSWSESVA.ORG.AU 1 Contents Give life. Give blood. Book your donation today give blood Contents REGULAR FEATURES 4 From the President 5 From the Minister 6 From the Commissioner 7 From the Editor FEATURES 10 Newell Highway Truck Crash 14 Warwick Cary Internment 15 Port Stephens Family Fun Day 16 NSW SES Fleet Showcase 18 Response to the March Floods in Penrith PGA 20 Port Macquarie Unit 22 Community Education Initiative 24 Vertical Rescue Professional Development 26 WA Deployment 31 Community Reading Group 32 Condobolin Unit 33 Flood Crisis – Personal recount 34 South Eastern Zone Disaster Rescue Challenge 35 New Member Experience 36 Ballina Unit 38 Across the border 40 Mental Health First Aid 41 Hunters Hill & Scouts 10 15 42 Sand Bag Filling Unit 18 24 NSWSESVA.ORG.AU 3 FROM THE PRESIDENT We did see a number of volunteers directly affected by the floods, but on a positive note, we had the opportunity to deliver a Mental Health First Aid course to KIM DAVIS ESM 14 members on the North Coast. PRESIDENT NSW SES VOLUNTEERS ASSOCIATION hile the community focus has excited to be adding Aboriginal The Association is continuing to remained on the COVID-19 and Torres Straight MHFA to our meet with both the SLT of the SES as Wresponse as well as the north programming in the latter half of well as parliamentary representatives coast flooding, in the Association we the year. to discuss volunteer matters. have remained focused on mental With the rain we have been We are establishing online health and welfare support for our receiving, work at the VA Retreat meetings with our Ambassadors, check members. has been difficult! The lower dam with your local unit or our office to see We did see a number of volunteers is beyond full and a beautiful who your Ambassador is, or if you would directly affected by the floods, environment for many local creatures like to take on the role. We are also but on a positive note, we had the however the damp ground has looking at additional member benefits opportunity to deliver a Mental Health made maintenance work difficult. opportunities so if you have any contacts First Aid course to 14 members on the As the weather continues to get you would like to share, have a benefit North Coast. cooler we will endeavour to get as you would like to offer or have any We are consulting diaries and will much done as we can in preparation other feedback, please send it through be looking at other locations to roll for Spring/Summer and to have to our Member Benefits Coordinator. out courses and any enquiries can be established more camping locations Stay safe out there and look after directed through our office. We are – stay tuned. each other. For all current and upcoming courses please check out our website www.sesvaevents.com REGISTER ONLINE FOR OUR UPCOMING COURSES 4 THE VOLUNTEER | JUNE 2021 FROM THE MINISTER THE HON DAVID ELLIOTT MP MINISTER FOR POLICE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES t the last time I wrote to you all, NSW was in the midst Aof one of the worst storm and flood event of our generation. Thousands of people were displaced or cut off by flood waters, and homes and properties were inundated or even washed away. Amidst it all there were hundreds of stories of hope, with nearly 3,500 SES personnel deployed throughout the event. The men and women in orange worked around the clock to keep the people of our State safe, from flood rescues to closing roads and making resupply missions, the SES were invaluable to the operation. During just that event, volunteers responded to more than 14,000 requests for assistance, a mammoth effort that deserves recognition. I was able to see your efforts first hand in the Hawkesbury and around Moree and know how grateful the people of these areas were to you all. I am incredibly proud of each and every one of you, I know you do it without want of recognition but your communities will be forever grateful for your contributions. it was announced the Government It was an incredible opportunity to You have also proven that is not will provide $36 million over five thank hundreds of volunteers in person only your own communities you are years for a new first responder for their efforts during the floods and dedicated to protecting. During the mental health strategy for emergency year round. During the week, NSW also floods many units were deployed services. Of this, NSW SES will celebrated Wear Orange Wednesday across the state, to the areas that receive $5.9 million to be used for and I hope each and every one of needed it most. Volunteers were also initiatives including the development you were able to celebrate and be deployed to Queensland and more of a mental health and wellbeing celebrated. Seeing landmarks across the recently to Western Australia, following strategy, enhanced support services, country light up was a heart-warming the aftermath from Cyclone Seroja employment of internal psychologists, tribute to each and every one of you. which hit the north west coast with and training for NSW SES leaders in I want to again issue my thanks to you devastating force. Your contributions mental health and wellbeing. all, your dedication for your communities here and interstate have made the Recently, we celebrated National keeps us all safer. Thanks must also go people of NSW proud. Volunteer Week, and I was lucky enough to your families, employers and friends, After a challenging year, I want to to spend it travelling across the state without their support volunteers would assure you all that the NSW Government and visiting volunteers in Albury, Wagga not be able to make the positive mark will continue to support you. Last year, Wagga, Griffith, Moree and Inverell. they do on their communities.