HALL OF FAME

Tell us a bit about yourself and your role within NSW SES?

I am the newly appointed Media Liaison Officer at the Hornsby Unit. My role includes maintaining the Hornsby SES Facebook, Instagram and Twitter page to keep the public up to date and informed. I also liaise with the Community Engagement Officer to assist with community events and public awareness.

Why did you join NSW SES? Anything that was deciding factor for you?

The reason I decided to join NSW SES as a volunteer had a lot to do with my Dad. My Dad had joined about 2 years prior to me and I watched him attend training or got to jobs each week and he would come back and tell us all these stories about people he worked with. He would tell me about how nice the people are and how excited they would be if I were to join. I was excited to join the family and help to try make a difference in our community.

What is your favourite part about being a member of the NSW State Emergency Service?

My favourite part of being a volunteer for NSW SES is seeing how members of the community are so grateful and appreciative of what you do to help them. I remember I was at a local fair once and while I was helping some kids into a flood boat that was on display, I heard one of the kids’ parents tell him that we were just like superheroes but without the capes.

What are the various skills you have learnt along the way?

There is a huge list of things that I have learnt in my time of being an NSW SES volunteer, both practical and logical skills.

I have learnt things from tying knots, setting up a roof safety kit, climbing on a roof safely, using a chainsaw, how to write a media releases and I have learnt how to do media interviews. These have all come out of courses that I have been involved with throughout my time so far at SES.

What advice would you give to others that are thinking to join?

My advice to anyone thinking of joining NSW SES is to keep an open mind and come prepared to try anything and get involved!