The official journal of the NSW SES Volunteers Association the Issue 51 | April 2020 VolunteerISSN 1445-3886 | PP 100018972 DROUGHT BUSHFIRES FLOODS STORMS COVID-19 NSW SES Volunteers Association Proudly supporting you through it all! PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY Distributed By AUSTREC INTERNATIONAL PTY. LTD. 100 QUEEN STREET, BEACONSFIELD NSW 2015 AUSTRALIA Volunteer A revolutionary solution for large area illumination • Simple and rapid deployment by one person in under 1 minute • Proven performer in the harshest conditions • Able to operate independent of infrastructure • Easily transported in the boot of a car • Unprecedented lighting coverage of up to 10,000m² The Light Tower is currently in use with: • AFP Australian Federal Police • Department of Defence (RAAF) • Civil Airports • Government Emergency Services • Roads and Traffi c Authority • Law Enforcement • Fire Services • Local Councils • Advertising and Promotional • SES (State emergency Service NSW) • RFS (Rural Fire Service) • CFA (Country Fire Authority • ERGON energy (QLD) • RoadTek (Department of Main Roads QLD) Email: [email protected] For more info, photos, testimonials Ph: (02) 9698 0177 please visit our website Gennady Lipkin: 0412 156 795 www.austlighttower.com.au Distributed By AUSTREC INTERNATIONAL PTY. LTD. the 100 QUEEN STREET, BEACONSFIELD NSW 2015 AUSTRALIA Volunteer NSW SES VOLUNTEERS ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS A revolutionary solution for large area illumination President of the Board of Directors Vice President Kim Davis ESM (Captains Flat) Shannon Crofton ESM CF (Metro Zone) • Simple and rapid deployment by one person in under 1 minute [email protected] [email protected] • Proven performer in the harshest conditions Managing Director Director • Able to operate independent of infrastructure Erin Pogmore (Metro Zone) Megan Hamblin (Wellington) [email protected] [email protected] • Easily transported in the boot of a car • Unprecedented lighting coverage of up to 10,000m² NSW SES VOLUNTEERS ASSOCIATION COORDINATORS & AMBASSADORS Patricia Johnson Cheryl Goodchild Teddy Haryjanto The Light Tower is currently in use with: Flower Coordinator Membership Coordinator Mental Health Coordinator Adam Jones Selina Thomas Mark Elm • AFP Australian Federal Police Member Benefits Coordinator Mental Health Coordinator VA Rep NSW SES Awards Committee • Department of Defence (RAAF) Anthorr Nomchong Cory McMillan Member Recognition Coordinator Mental Health Coordinator • Civil Airports • Government Emergency Services • Roads and Traffi c Authority • Law Enforcement • Fire Services • Local Councils • Advertising and Promotional • SES (State emergency Service NSW) CRITICAL INCIDENT SUPPORT PROGRAM 1800 626 800 • RFS (Rural Fire Service) CONTRIBUTIONS • CFA (Country Fire Authority Content for The Volunteer • ERGON energy (QLD) Photography should only be supplied digitally, please avoid scanning of any type. Text can be supplied as a Microsoft Word document. • RoadTek (Department of Main Roads QLD) 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 Email: [email protected] For more info, photos, testimonials 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 Ph: (02) 9698 0177 please visit our website 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. Gennady Lipkin: 0412 156 795 www.austlighttower.com.au NSWSESVA.ORG.AU 1 Contents Contents REGULAR FEATURES 5 Board of Directors Update 7 From the Minister 8 From the Editor FEATURES 10 Bushfire Feature 15 2020 Australasian Police & Emergency Service Games 16 Award Recipients 18 Auslan Workshop 19 Mardi Gras Fair Day 2020 20 NSW SES celebrates Mardi Gras 2020 22 The Bundgendore Fridge 23 FABS 24 Fires, Floats, Floods and Footy! 29 ProRescue Vanuatu 30 Shea Cullen – Gosford’s first female L3 Flood Rescue Technician 32 Port Macquarie SES Taskfoce: Lord Howe Island 34 2020 International Women’s Day 36 NSW SES Volunteers at recent Flood and Storm events 38 The Rock Unit Training Exercise 39 Gosford Flood Rescue 40 Focus on the Menai Unit 41 Finished for now 41 Thankyou from the VA 42 Yass Unit Deployment 16 20 44 Poem 24 38 NSWSESVA.ORG.AU 3 Welcome To Skyview Continental Cafe & Restaurant 107 South Street, Granville NSW 2142 Recently Opened Get Down and Have A Fantastic Feed! New Range Of Health Drinks Deserts and Wraps 10% Off For All Emergency Service Employees Middle Eastern Chicken Gluten Free Sandwiches, Halal Salads, Falafel, Vegan and Vegetarian Options Ph: 02 8606 3300 Proudly Supporting The Volunteers BOARD OF DIRECTORS UPDATE Important Message from the Board Of Directors OVID-19, floods and bushfires businesses you either run or work for. talk, seek advice on assistance or locate have created an unsettled and We have trialled our own business services. Cat times, scary world for us to continuity plans in the event we need We are all in this together, and even live in. to lock down, and with a small team with rapidly changing situations, we Please be assured, that regardless working in the office, there have been will communicate with you if anything of what mat be thrown at us as a measures put in place to manage about the way we do business changes. society, the NSW SES Volunteers social distancing and the event of We must acknowledge the ongoing Association will continue to support a potential positive reading for of support of our donors, whose our members. COVID-19. ongoing help makes everything we do We anticipate that there will Mental Health and your personal possible. continue to be a need for us to evolve wellness is our focus. The office More than ever, look after each and come up with innovative ways to remains able to be contacted, and the other and yourselves and get in touch help our people – much like may of the Board are also available if you need to if you need to. NSW Volunteers Association Members Database If you need to update your details please contact the office at [email protected] or call on 1300 073 782. NSWSESVA.ORG.AU 5 Foxton Financial foxtonfi nancial.com.au Your tax, accounting and SMSF specialists Winner – ACT Institute of Public Accountants Firm of the Year 2019 FROM THE MINISTER The NSW Government has invested $56.4 million to provide the SES with 270 vehicles, 124 marine vessels and 95 storm trailers over four years to support communities in times of crisis. THE HON DAVID ELLIOTT MP MINISTER FOR POLICE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES e’ve had an exceptionally and continuous rain, extinguishing the One of these vehicles used widely in busy start to the year with fires but causing new problems, the north and south of the state during WNew South Wales facing an 391.6 millimetres of rain fell over the bushfire crisis was the Cell on unprecedented bushfire and summer the four days in Sydney, more than Wheels otherwise known as ‘CoW’. storm season. The ‘Black Summer’ broke three times the February average. The CoW enhanced frontline Australia’s heart, with twenty-five tragic Flooding was extensive and power worker safety by providing radio fatalities, more than two thousands supply, trains, ferries and road communications where there was no homes destroyed, and more than five transport were disrupted. coverage resulting from damage to million hectares burnt in NSW alone. Once again, your dedication to crucial infrastructure. Close to 3000 of you were involved helping others provided relief to It was created based on key during the bushfire crisis contributing thousands of residents. learnings from a number of incidents thousands of hours to support the Overall, the NSW SES completed that identified the challenges Rural Fire Service. This involved a range a staggering 27270 jobs across NSW associated with providing temporary of tasks including logistical support, since the 1st January 2020. emergency communications in difficult chainsaw work, communications and The NSW Government has invested terrain and remote locations. community liaison. $56.4 million to provide the SES with With the winter storm season As always, the SES played an 270 vehicles, 124 marine vessels and fast approaching, I know you will all important role in our overall response. 95 storm trailers over four years to be busy training and helping prepare I would like to thank all of you for support communities in times of crisis. communities for the months ahead. your dedication and commitment to You all play a crucial role in keeping Please take care of yourselves and supporting and protecting your local the community safe and we have to loved ones during this time – your communities.