State Controllers Seminar sees VICSES members celebrated for service

04/07/2025, 3:52 PM
VICSES Senior Advisor Community Programs & Engagement Liz Frazer presented to the cohort at the weekend's VICSES State Controllers Conference.

Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) Unit Controllers and volunteers have gathered to share their experiences and celebrate emergency response efforts following a busy year for volunteers across the state.

Held in Preston on 28 June, VICSES’ 2025 State Controllers Seminar allowed staff and volunteers to come together to discuss key strategic focus areas and acknowledge exceptional service throughout the organisation.

Several state excellence awards were presented throughout the evening to both staff and volunteers, honouring their tireless commitment and adaptive approach to improving the way VICSES provides vital emergency response in its community.

Building on a series of regional awards presented at recent ceremonies held throughout Victoria, Saturday’s event saw exceptional efforts at a state-level recognised in seven categories, in addition to one VICSES Life Membership.

VICSES Heathcote Unit volunteer Peter Duncan has refined his approach to streamlining day-to-day unit tasks and the management of requests for assistance (RFAs) over more than a decade, implementing Trello and other systems which have been adopted across the state to improve workflow and emergency management.

The initiatives, which are now core to the local success of many units, have resulted in VICSES volunteers being more effective, organised and ready to respond, and earned Peter acknowledgement with an Excellence in Innovation award.

Similarly, VICSES Chiltern Unit volunteer Cameron Roach has proven a vital part of the community around him, training local volunteers and informing community members how best to be prepared in an emergency and ensuring members are confident, skilled and safe at all times.

Cameron was awarded the Excellence in Learning and Development honour, celebrating the valuable knowledge and skills he has imparted on communities throughout the northeast and beyond.

VICSES Hastings Unit volunteer Mark Ivory was celebrated for showcasing Excellence in Cooperation, having strengthened the relationship between his local unit and the CFA to provide faster emergency response times when needed, while also creating systems to improve data flow, task tracking, inter-agency coordination and knowledge-sharing between organisations.

VICSES People and Culture Manager Lexi Hilgert received the VICSES Values award for her constant commitment to acting with integrity, empathy and focus in support of volunteers throughout the state’s west.

As a trusted voice, Lexi’s ability to engage with volunteers and staff through cultural surveys, grievance management and recruitment efforts has left a valuable impression on the organisation at a state level.

VICSES Chief Executive Officer Rob Purcell presented the Excellence in Community Engagement Award to VICSES Yarrawonga Unit volunteer Laura Nish, acknowledging her outstanding commitment to emergency preparedness locally.

VICSES Yarrawonga Unit member Laura Nish was presented the Excellence in Community Engagement award, recognising the transformational impact she has had on emergency preparedness locally, where she organises 15 events each year and coordinates her unit’s Facebook page, regularly sharing proactive preparedness messaging.

Peer Support leader Gail Wood was presented the Peter Rabone Shield for Excellence in Peer Support, having travelled 447 kilometres to attend an after-action review for a highly complex, multi-agency incident, when she directed all attendees, many of whom were locals, to mental health services available.

And the 2025 Young Member Excellence award was presented to 21-year-old VICSES Nillumbik Unit volunteer Joshua Wright, celebrating his role in responding to almost 400 local RFAs while showcasing leadership and maturity in managing a range of unit-led projects.

Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch was awarded VICSES Life Membership, acknowledging his 33 years of VICSES involvement which began as a volunteer with VICSES South Barwon Unit before rising to become the organisation's Chief Officer Operations.

To round out the evening, outgoing VICSES Chief Officer Operations Tim Wiebusch was awarded VICSES Life Membership, celebrating his consistent dedication to VICSES over more than 30 years which received a standing ovation.

Initially a volunteer with VICSES South Barwon Unit, Tim began a career with VICSES as the first ever Volunteer Support Officer in 2003, before rising through the ranks and ascending to become Chief Officer in 2017 and now Victoria’s Emergency Management Commissioner.

Already a National Medal, National Emergency Medal and Emergency Services Medal recipient for his service with VICSES, the award of Life Membership celebrates Tim’s undying commitment to Victorian communities, his valuable leadership through major emergencies, and his willingness to continually empower VICSES members.

To find out more about volunteering with VICSES, visit www.ses.vic.gov.au/join-us.

Quotes attributable to Alistair Drayton, VICSES Acting Chief Officer Operations:

“Our members provide valuable support to communities across Victoria in their time of need, so it’s fantastic to be able to recognise their efforts in the company of their fellow volunteers.

“The State Controllers Seminar is a great chance for members from each corner of the state to share their experiences, engage in conversation and celebrate the outstanding work of volunteers and staff in improving the way we respond to emergencies.”