Future SES volunteer leaders pay respects to the past at National Emergency Service Memorial – 2 May 2019
In 2019, State Emergency Service (SES) personnel took part in the commemorations at the AFAC National Emergency Services Memorial for the first time. To mark the occasion, young SES volunteers from across Australia were nominated to attend the event in Canberra on May 1.
The visit gave the SES youth contingent, aged 16-30, the opportunity to pay respects to their fire and emergency service colleagues who have died in the line of duty.
While visiting Canberra, the young volunteers are also undergoing activities designed to develop their leadership skills to secure the future capability of the SES across the nation – a service that relies on its volunteer workforce to keep communities across Australia safe.
Alongside attending the fire and emergency service sector’s most significant commemoration event, the tour includes visits to the ACT Emergency Services Agency facilities, Parliament House and the NSESVA council meeting in Canberra.
Each member of the national youth contingent was selected by their jurisdiction through a nomination process. Their attendance at the annual memorial service is sponsored by the National State Emergency Service Volunteers Association (NSESVA).
NSESVA Chairman Gordon Hall ESM said investing in the development of young SES volunteers ensured the long-term safety of Australian communities.
“The State Emergency Service has its roots in community safety and civil service. By developing the skills of our youngest and most passionate volunteers today, we are able to uphold this legacy well into the future.”
The tour will set the youth SES volunteers on a pathway towards leadership by introducing them to the wider sector in Canberra and reporting back to their units about the experience when they return.
“Nurturing the next generation of SES volunteers is vital as we face a future that is expected to bring more complex and unpredictable hazards. Strong leaders in the fire and emergency services ensure Australian communities will be safer and more resilient,” Gordon Hall said.
The NSESVA hopes to continue the National Emergency Services Memorial youth tour in coming years.
The 2019 participants are:
ACT: Ty Walker NT: Luke Cavan SA: Ashley Hicks
TAS: Austen Hawkins WA: Sarah Hamilton
VIC: Anani Kekunawala QLD: Amanda Johnson and Carley Meyer
The AFAC National Emergency Services Memorial is an annual commemoration for fire and emergency service personnel who have died in the line of duty. For more information on the event and honour roll, visit the memorial website: memorial.afac.com.au
For quotes and SES youth volunteer contact details:
Gordon Hall ESM:
Phone: 0427 002 702
Email: gordon.hall@nsesva.org.au
 Group Picture of all volunteers from all States and Territories attending the Memorial service  Sarah Hamilton from the Belmont/Victoria Park SES Unit |
