VICSES Wimmera Region volunteers heralded for exceptional service
Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) stalwarts from across the Wimmera region have been celebrated for their tireless commitment to their communities, with more than half a millennium of cumulative long-service celebrated at a weekend awards ceremony.
Volunteers representing VICSES units from Kaniva to Ararat gathered at Horsham Golf Club on Sunday, when they were recognised for their local impact during careers spanning between five years and multiple decades of emergency response.
The intimate ceremony saw a trio of volunteers honoured for a remarkable 35 years of service with VICSES, with Mark Dixon (Kaniva), Shane Birthisel (St Arnaud) and Geoffrey Bullock (Stawell) conferred clasps in recognition of their service, each having spent time as either a Sector Leader or Deputy Controller of their respective units throughout their involvement.
Long-time Grampians Regional Unit volunteer and current Deputy Controller Jason Woodhart was also conferred a clasp in acknowledgement of 30 years of dedicated service.
VICSES St Arnaud Unit pair John Kell and Gary Brown joined VICSES Stawell Unit member Glenton Gough and VICSES staff member and long-time Horsham Unit volunteer Crystal Sanders in celebration of 15 years of service with their local units, while a further four local volunteers were recognised for half a decade of volunteer service.
Sunday’s event also provided an opportunity to present a host of National Medals, acknowledging diligent service of at least 15 years with VICSES or other volunteer emergency service agencies.
VICSES Stawell Unit volunteer Jennifer Rook joined colleagues in receiving an initial National Medal, honoured alongside her Stawell Unit colleague Glenton Gough and VICSES Warracknabeal Unit volunteer Geoffrey Stewart.
Two National Medal 1st Clasps were awarded to signify 25 years of remarkable service, conferred to Gary Frost (Horsham) and John Bish (Warracknabeal), while a National Medal 2nd Clasp was also awarded to Jason Woodhart.
The event also saw the presentation of rare National Medal 3rd Clasps to two volunteers in celebration of their 45 years of undying service to their communities, with VICSES Ararat Unit member Russell Graham and VICSES Stawell Unit stalwart John Hooper in receipt of the honour.
Finally, an organisational excellence award was conferred to VICSES staff member and Ararat Unit volunteer Jordan Bush, celebrating his constant personification of VICSES values and exceptional commitment to community.
The VICSES Values award acknowledged Jordan’s pivotal role in developing the Grampians Landslide Emergency Response Plan following destructive fires, his coordination of VICSES crews during the high-profile search for Samantha Murphy near Ballarat and the broad respect he has earned across the organisation both on the ground and behind the scenes.
VICSES Chief Officer Operations Alistair Drayton was on hand to offer his congratulations to all award recipients and thanked them for their exceptional response across a diverse landscape inclusive of the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park, Dyurrite (Mount Arapiles-Tooan State Park) and the Big and Little deserts.
Additional awards are expected to be presented at unit ceremonies over the coming months.
Sunday’s event follows a busy year for VICSES Wimmera region volunteers, called to almost 800 requests for assistance in their community in 2024/25, including more than 300 for trees down and more than 100 rescue-related callouts.
To learn more about volunteering with VICSES, visit www.ses.vic.gov.au/join-us.
Quotes attributable to Ryan Leffler, VICSES Operations Manager, Wimmera Unit Support Team:
“We’re very fortunate to have so many dedicated and experienced volunteers across the Wimmera region who are ready to support their communities during emergencies and times of need.
“Our volunteers give so much to their communities and have done so over an extended period, so it’s great to be able to honour and acknowledge their vital contributions when possible.”
