Dear SES Members
I hope this newsletter finds you well. I’d like to take a moment to update you on several important matters currently underway within our SES Volunteers Association.
- DFES Funding Grant and Agreement Signing Progress
I am pleased to report that the DFES Grant has been finalised and signed. This funding continues to play a critical role in strengthening the Association’s capabilities and resources. I deeply appreciate everyone’s hard work and dedication in bringing this to fruition and will keep you informed of any further developments.
- SESVA Bus Replacement Working Group
The recruitment process for the Bus Replacement Working Group has been actively promoted to all SES Units across the state. Expressions of Interest (EOIs) will close on 20 July 2025, with announcements to follow shortly thereafter.
We will be reviewing our current fleet of eight buses and evaluating the best options for their replacement or disposal. Our aim is to ensure we have reliable, efficient transportation to support both operations and training.
I encourage you to share any insights or suggestions with your regions Association Committee Member. Once the working group has been appointed, we will share the members’ names and the terms of reference. Your input is invaluable in guiding decisions that benefit our entire community.
- SES VAC (Volunteer Advisory Committee)
After a lengthy adjournment due to the Christmas period, the State Election, and the delay in meeting with Minister Papalia, the SES VAC is now scheduled to meet three times during the remainder of 2025. This will allow us to move forward on two key projects:
– Volunteer Fuel Card Scheme:
The current allocation of $1,000 per unit does not reflect the size or needs of each SES Unit—whether it has 10 or 80 members. There is now a plan to develop a fair and transparent distribution process to better reflect each unit’s size and operational needs.
– Landlord’s Winter Maintenance Responsibilities:
Residential and business rental properties have lacked support for proactive maintenance. This maintenance can reduce the number of emergency callouts due to issues like blocked gutters and subsequent water damage. A paper to propose a government initiative that would make landlords responsible for certain preventative maintenance measures is to be progressed through the Commissioner and the Minister for consideration.
The SES VAC will also be working on several other strategic initiatives throughout the year to further strengthen our volunteer community.
Thank you for your continued support and dedication. Together, we are making meaningful progress, and I look forward to what we can achieve in the months ahead.
Warm Regards,
Greg Cook, President