VICSES shines spotlight on service of metropolitan volunteers
Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) volunteers from metropolitan Melbourne have been heralded for their years of commitment to serving communities locally and abroad during times of emergency.
Through events held annually in each of VICSES’ emergency response regions, VICSES volunteers who fulfil operational and support roles are celebrated for their years of tireless dedication, and presented a personalised plaque or medal highlighting their ongoing service.
Held in Mooroolbark on Sunday, the event saw more than 700 years of combined VICSES service recognised across the Eastern and Southern Metro response regions, with more than 60 volunteers and staff honoured in front of their family and friends.
VICSES Pakenham Unit volunteer Bruce Monro was the longest-tenured volunteer acknowledged on the day, celebrating 40 years of service to his southeastern community, while recent Emergency Services Medal (ESM) recipient Michael Delanis (VICSES Malvern Unit) was presented his 30-year service clasp.
Fellow Malvern Unit volunteer Michael Gravolin joined in celebrating 30 years with VICSES alongside VICSES Kinglake Unit Controller Leanne Klammer, while seven others were acknowledged for more than 20 years of volunteer service.
In all, volunteers from almost 20 metropolitan units received awards for between five and 40 years of VICSES service at the event, while VICSES 50-year foundation members Colin Matheson (Lilydale) and Brett Neve (Frankston) were also acknowledged in their absence.
Several National Medals were also awarded to attendees during the event, acknowledging exceptional and diligent service to VICSES and their communities during times of major emergency.
Recipients included Kinglake volunteers Andrew Derwent and Wayne Leech and Emerald Unit’s James Paxton, who each received their 25 year award, while Narre Warren members Damian Burns and Cheryl Cross, Chelsea volunteer Evette Davis, George Hobbs (Port Phillip) and Mahum Sana (Manningham) were recognised for 15 years of service.
As part of VICSES’ commitment to highlighting the outstanding efforts of its volunteers, Jen Selmore (Manningham) and Daryl Forge (Moorabbin) were presented VICSES Excellence in Innovation awards, acknowledging their efforts developing and streamlining a brand-new volunteer on-boarding system to boost recruitment among local units.
Mark Ivory (Hastings) was also awarded a VICSES Excellence in Cooperation citation, celebrating his ongoing work engaging with local CFA brigades and groups to integrate common operating procedures and promote cooperation between agencies during local flood and storm events.
The award ceremony follows a busy 2024 for VICSES Eastern and Southern Metro volunteers, who were called to more than 17,760 requests for assistance from their communities last year.
Quotes attributable to Ray Jasper, VICSES Acting Deputy Chief Officer
“For more than 50 years, VICSES volunteers have shown outstanding dedication to their communities in preparing for and responding to emergencies, and it’s important we take the time to recognise and celebrate these efforts as an organisation.”
