Golden anniversary of phenomenal service for VICSES Portland Unit
Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) Portland Unit volunteers have celebrated a major milestone for their beloved unit, marking 50 years of vital emergency service to communities in the state’s far southwest late last week.
VICSES volunteers, staff and special guests flocked to Portland from across the state to join in the festivities on Friday evening, when attendees were afforded an incredible insight into the rich history and outstanding service of local unit members over the last half-century.
Formally established in February 1976 following the dissolution of the local Civil Defence Organisation of the time, VICSES Portland Unit has grown to now boast a highly skilled and diverse volunteer base of almost 30, with a healthy junior program following in the footsteps of the unit’s more senior members.
Its volunteers possess a range of specialist skills including, high angle rescue and road crash rescue (RCR) capacity, which has seen VICSES Portland Unit forge a reputation over many decades of excellent emergency response both locally and across the state.
Having initially catered weddings alongside the Portland Ladies’ Auxiliary to fund the unit’s first set of hydraulic spreaders for RCR response in the late 1970s, the unit has since become renowned for its RCR capacity, representing Victoria on numerous occasions at national road accident rescue championships in the ensuing years.
At a unit open day held the week previous in support of the unit’s 50th anniversary celebrations, RCR again took centre stage as founding member Gary Hein and his fellow volunteers showcased their proficiency with a live RCR demonstration, highlighting the skill and coordination VICSES volunteers demonstrate in life-threatening emergencies.
Friday’s anniversary event also provided a perfect opportunity to pay tribute to those volunteers who have left their mark on the local unit, including Gary Hein who, having been recruited in 1976 to join Civil Defence through his involvement with the local Cub Scouts and Venturers, has proved a valued local leader and skilled responder in support of Portland and other southwest communities.
Presented his 50-year clasp in recognition of his exceptional service, Gary became only the 17th volunteer in VICSES’ history to celebrate the milestone and the first from the state’s far southwest.
Gary was one of six VICSES Portland Unit volunteers acknowledged for long service on the night, half of whom had served for more than 15 years including long-time support volunteer Christine Malin (20 years) and former Unit Controller Scott McFarlane (15 years).
Their service drew warm applause from local and state attendees, including VICSES Chief Officer Operations Alistair Drayton, Deputy Chief Officer Greg Swindells and Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch.
VICSES Portland Unit is among the southwest’s busiest units, with local volunteers called to more than 1,000 emergency incidents since the 2020/21 financial year.
To find out more about volunteering with VICSES, visit ses.vic.gov.au/join-us.
Quotes attributable to VICSES Portland Unit Deputy Controller Elijah Roberts
“VICSES Portland Unit is extremely proud to celebrate its golden anniversary in 2026, having diligently served the local community for the last half century.
“It’s really special to be able to celebrate this milestone with members who have 50 years, five years or five months’ worth of experience giving back to their community and to share that journey with them.
“VICSES has grown and developed significantly since 1976 but the commitment and care shown by volunteers has been unchanged. Our volunteers pride themselves on being there for the community and we appreciate all of the support we receive from them in kind.”
