Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) volunteers Ian Sinclair and Charles Dean have received awards for Significant Service to the community whilst serving as volunteers with the SES Beechworth Unit.

On the 22^nd of August Charles and Ian were presented with their awards at Beechworth by VICSES Operations Manager Neil Payn.

Charles Dean was presented with the National Emergency Medal for sustained service during the 2019/20 bushfires. During the event he was involved in evaluating Corryong Hospital and in assisting the Bureau of Meteorology with deploying mobile weather stations in the high country, to assist with monitoring weather around fires and giving vital intelligence to fire agencies.

“Working at Corryong was really challenging, as we drove in a convoy of vehicles to help with the relief, the fires were still burning around us and we had to be escorted by fire trucks,” Charles recalled.

Ian Sinclair was presented with his clasp for 45 years continuous service as member of the SES Beechworth Unit.

Ian joined the Civil Defence as a teenager and continued with the SES when it replaced the Civil Defence. Ian has helped provide road crash rescues, storm response, rope rescue and search & rescue for most of his 45 years and was instrumental in saving countless lives over that time. Ian has also responded to major emergencies that have impacted Beechworth including bushfires and storms.

Ian said ”it’s probably longer than 45 years. I started going to training when I was 14 but couldn’t join until I was a bit older.”

VICSES Operations Manager Neil Payn said, “Both Ian and Charles demonstrate that SES members are integral parts of their community, and these awards express some of the priceless value of our volunteers to the wider Victorian community.”    

“Ian’s contribution over 45 years is phenomenal, and many people involved in accidents would not be around today if not for Ian’s dedicated service”. 

“Charles’ medal also shows great courage and commitment to the wellbeing of our community in difficult circumstances.”