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Emerging VICSES leaders build connections through national program

02/05/2025, 2:23 PM
VICSES Cobram Unit Deputy Controller Emma Bugler and VICSES Mildura Unit Controller Elliott Matotek represented VICSES at the 2025 Young Emerging Leaders Program in Canberra this week.

Young leaders representing two regional Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) units have bolstered their leadership capacity and formed important relationships with their interstate counterparts through a national initiative held in Canberra this week.

VICSES Cobram Unit Deputy Controller Emma Bugler and VICSES Mildura Unit Controller Elliott Matotek were selected to attend the SES Young Emerging Leaders Program, landing in the nation’s capital on Wednesday before forming a guard of honour at the National Emergency Services Memorial on Thursday.

Standing alongside volunteers, executive leaders and emergency commissioners from across the country, the pair acknowledged the courage and sacrifice of those who have lost their lives serving their country in times of emergency.

Also paying their respects were VICSES Chief Executive Officer Rob Purcell, VICSES Acting Chief Officer Operations Alistair Drayton and Acting Emergency Management Victoria Commissioner Tim Wiebusch.

Emergency services personnel from across the country were given an insight into the National Emergency Management Agency and the National situation room as part of the initiative.

The program also provided volunteers a unique insight into emergency response on a national scale, offering a tour of the National Emergency Management Agency’s National situation room, used to monitor and provide a federal response to hazards across the country.

Volunteers also visited Geoscience Australia to learn more about earthquake oversight and reporting, attended Parliament House and toured the ACT’s Emergency Services Agency near Canberra Airport.

Facilitated free of charge by the National SES Volunteers Association, the Young Emerging Leaders Program is an initiative which has shown great value in allowing volunteers under the age of 30 to share knowledge and experiences while networking with first responders and key stakeholders from across Australia.

Already this year, VICSES volunteers have deployed to Queensland to assist in the immediate aftermath of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred in March, showcasing the ability of emergency response providers across the country to Work As One in times of need.

Quotes attributable to Emma Bugler, VICSES Cobram Unit Deputy Controller

“To have the opportunity to attend this program was a great honour and something I would recommend all young volunteer leaders within VICSES to apply for in future.

“Sharing experiences and networking with volunteers from across Australia was extremely valuable and I’m looking forward to staying in touch and continuing to discuss our roles as first responders in the coming months and years.”

Quotes attributable to Alistair Drayton, VICSES Acting Chief Officer Operations

“It’s important we give our young leaders the opportunities they need to prosper and successfully lead VICSES into the future.

“The Young Emerging Leaders Program is a fantastic way for volunteers across the country to come together to build important relationships across agencies and build emergency resilience throughout Australia.”