Unique ceremony honours service of VICSES Craigieburn Unit volunteers
A pair of dedicated Victoria State Emergency Service volunteers from Melbourne’s north have been recognised as among their unit’s finest in a unique way, awarded life membership during a makeshift ceremony in their own driveway recently.
As pillars of their community having been part of the VICSES Craigieburn Unit since its inception in 1981, Paul and Emily Ledwich have sacrificed untold hours and commitment to local emergency response for over 40 years, and continue to provide support as non-operational members whenever possible.
With the couple unable to attend a recent Wednesday evening training session or the unit’s December awards presentation, volunteers decided to take training to them, with six SES vehicles and a sea of orange volunteers flood-lighting Paul and Emily’s driveway to facilitate the presentation of richly-deserved Unit Life Membership medals.
On hand for the presentation was both Unit Controller Omar Sayegh and VICSES North West Metro Operations Manager Brad Dalgleish, as well as several other Craigieburn Unit and VICSES life members to share the special occasion with their valued colleagues.
A number of Paul and Emily’s neighbours were also present at the celebration, and allowed volunteers to park VICSES vehicles in their driveways while they joined the presentation.
The award of Unit Life Membership was a fitting recognition of Paul and Emily’s outstanding commitment to both their local VICSES unit and the wider Craigieburn community, which has grown considerably throughout their volunteering tenure.
Already a VICSES Life Member and a National Medal 3rd clasp recipient (signifying 45 years of service to the community), the award of Unit Life Membership adds to an impressive service career for Paul, while Emily has previously received long service medals denoting 25 years of VICSES involvement, having already served the unit in an unofficial capacity for many years.
Along with son Martin, who is also a VICSES Life Member and former VICSES Craigieburn Unit Controller, the Ledwich family has given well over 100 years of dedicated service to its community.
To find out more about volunteering with VICSES, visit: www.ses.vic.gov.au/join-us.
Quotes attributable to Omar Sayegh, VICSES Craigieburn Unit Controller:
“It was fantastic to be able to recognise and celebrate Paul and Emily’s service to their community in such a special way, surrounded by their VICSES family and their neighbours.
“Both have given so much to the VICSES Craigieburn Unit, and are richly deserving of their life membership.”
Quotes attributable to Brad Dalgleish, VICSES North West Metro Operations Manager:
“Both Paul and Emily have been integral servants of VICSES Craigieburn Unit since the unit’s foundation, and it was a joy to be able to celebrate their achievement with them.
“Our volunteers play such an important role in their local communities, and to be able to celebrate their service in this way is always special.”
