Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) volunteers from the state’s eastern reaches converged this weekend at the Sale ANZAC Weekend Airshow, winning the title for the ‘Best Emergency Service Display’ in only their second appearance at the event.

VICSES Sale, Maffra, Loch Sport, Stratford, Rosedale and Warragul units were each represented as part of a major activation at the event, showcasing a wide array of equipment and vehicle assets used by volunteers to respond to emergencies in east Gippsland.

More than 20 volunteers supported the display across the event’s two-day schedule, with a VICSES Heavy Rescue Truck, Inflatable Rescue Boat, and motorcycles on display for airshow attendees.

Polaris and Argo utility terrain vehicles (UTV) also showcased volunteers’ ability to respond to emergencies in sandy and snowy environments, while the region’s Alpine Search and Rescue squad’s survival kits - which include vital cooking and sleeping equipment in the case of an emergency - attracted significant attention.

A crowd of more than 6,000 patrons was estimated to have attended the West Sale Airport each day of the event, with many engaging with VICSES’ display to learn more about the organisations’ various capabilities and to engage with volunteers.

Volunteers used a virtual reality (VR) display to showcase how they respond to road crash rescue emergencies, with their actions broadcast onto a television at the event as they unpacked virtual gear from a virtual response vehicle and began making the virtual scene safe.

VICSES Sale Unit Controller Codie Powell was also on hand to share her experiences with VICSES, having risen through the ranks after initially joining the local unit’s junior program.

Quotes attributable to Rachel Rogers, VICSES Gippsland Region Community Resilience Coordinator:

“The 2024 Sale ANZAC Weekend Airshow was a fantastic opportunity for VICSES units from across the region to come together to showcase the wide array of skills our volunteers possess to respond to local emergencies.

“It’s encouraging to see our volunteers receive such enthusiastic support from the event and spectators, and the feedback has been extremely positive.

“Planning for VICSES’ display at the event’s 2026 iteration has already begun.”