Incredible commitment of VICSES Loddon region volunteers celebrated
Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) Loddon region volunteers and staff have been acknowledged for their unwavering support of their communities in times of need, as part of the organisation’s annual service awards initiative.
At a ceremony held at the Bendigo District RSL on Saturday, almost 300 years of collective service by local VICSES members was celebrated through the presentation of long service awards, while a collection of National Medals, organisational excellence awards and rare commendations of service were also conferred.
The Commendation of Service, awarded for exception bravery and outstanding emergency response, highlighted the incredible efforts of VICSES Bendigo Unit members Trent Ross, Matt Pittock and Matthew Nadin who, on 9 June 2021, battled arduous conditions to reach and provide vital care to isolated patients in the Trentham-Tylden area.
With a severe storm toppling trees across the region and aware of one isolated patient in active labour and another relying on a depleting supply of bottled oxygen, the trio carved a path for a midwife and Ambulance Victoria paramedics to access each of the respective patients, working through the night and showcasing extreme courage in highly adverse and dangerous winds as trees came down around them.
Both patients and the former’s newborn were subsequently able to be stabilised and receive the care they needed, a credit the crew’s extraordinary persistence in the most trying of circumstances.
Other volunteers were acknowledged for their extensive service to their communities throughout the day, with VICSES Heathcote Unit volunteer Stephen Johnson (40 years) the longest-tenured celebrated.
VICSES Kyabram Unit volunteer Bill Murray (35 years), VICSES Maryborough Unit volunteer Bob Brooke (25 years) and VICSES Kerang Unit and long-time staff member Jamie Macri (20 years) were also honoured for multiple decades of persistent VICSES service and commitment to their community.
A total of six volunteers were awarded clasps for 15 years of service, including VICSES Heathcote Unit pair Peter Duncan and Melodie Thompson, VICSES Marong Unit pair Trent Knight and Ian Shelton, VICSES Bendigo Unit’s Michael Fisher and VICSES Loddon Mallee Regional Unit stalwart Noela Halacas.
A further 10 volunteers were awarded pins or medals signifying either five or 10 years of service respectively.
Volunteers were also presented National Medals throughout the day, signifying diligent and outstanding service to their communities over a period of at least 15 years.
VICSES Castlemaine Unit volunteer Evelyn Satterly and Robert Deavin, VICSES Heathcote Unit’s Clynton Robinson and Desmond Hogan, VICSES Marong Unit’s Greg Cheyne and Ian Shelton, VICSES Kyabram Unit volunteer Robert Kerr and VICSES Bendigo Office Operations Manager Jodie Griffin each received an initial National Medal for their incredible commitment to communities.
Awarded a second clasp to their existing National Medal signifying at least 35 years of service were VICSES Heathcote Unit volunteer George Dimech and VICSES Kyabram Unit pair Paul Octigan and Bill Murray, while VICSES Maryborough mainstay Jesse Wright received a 3rd clasp (45 years).
Rounding out the day was a celebration of VICSES Wedderburn Unit, which was awarded VICSES’ Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion award acknowledging the efforts of volunteers to learn Auslan in support of fellow volunteers with a hearing impairment.
The initiative, which has created a more inclusive, connected and representative team locally, has also spread beyond their own membership and contributed to a broader cultural shift across VICSES units in the state’s northwest.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan MP and VICSES Deputy Chief Officer Greg Swindells were in attendance to honour each award recipient, paying tribute throughout to the incredible work of VICSES Loddon area volunteers over the last 12 months.
Saturday’s event follows a busy year for the local volunteers, who were called to more than 1,300 incidents in 2024/25.
Quotes attributable to Jodie Griffin, VICSES Operations Manager, Loddon Region Unit Support Team
“VICSES Loddon region is very fortunate to have an incredible cohort of volunteers who go above and beyond for their community when they need help the most.
“Their tireless commitment to Victorians in times of flood, storm and other emergencies is remarkable and it’s great to be able to honour that effort where we can.”
