Conference – SES Volunteer's Association of Western Australia Incorporated

12/05/2025 – SES Training Matters

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DFES Training Courses on Emergency Management & Disaster Recovery

Now open for Expressions of Interest

These awareness level courses have been tailored to provide a firm foundation for state government agencies and service providers working in emergency management and disaster recovery in WA.

The no-cost training modules are being delivered between June and October 2025 and include:
1. Introduction to Emergency Management
2. Introduction to Disaster Recovery
3. Working in Disaster Recovery
4. Engaging the Community in Disaster Recovery

For further details on course content, access to online resources, and to register your
interest in attending an in-person training session, please click here: Training Catalogue

09/05/2025 – 2025 W-AFAC Conference – Nominations Closing Friday 23 May

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A reminder to all SES volunteers to get your nomination in for your chance to attend the 2025 W-AFAC Conference.

Nominations close on Friday 23 May, so there’s still time to register your interest here and put your hand up to attend this incredible conference program designed especially for volunteers.

From the evening of Tuesday 26 August through to Friday 29 August volunteers will be treated to a comprehensive conference program featuring:

Exhibition opening and welcome event (6pm to 8pm)
Two day AFAC Conference program
DFES tours
WAFES Awards gala dinner

The conference is for volunteers starting their volunteering journey through to seasoned volunteers – and everyone in between – there is something for everyone.

You can self-nominate or chat with your Unit leader who can also nominate volunteers.

Places are limited but don’t let that deter you, put your hat in the ring for a chance to attend the 2025 W-AFAC Conference. To ensure attendance is fair and equitable, priority will be given to volunteers who have not attended an AFAC or WAFES conference before.

For further information about the conference, including all the latest on the DFES Tours visit the Volunteer Hub

08/05/2025 – SESVA latest News May 2025

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The SESVA has the pleasure of welcoming two new Management Committee regional representatives.

Ceridwen Fitzpatrick—Great Southern

Ceridwen has been a member of Mount Barker SES since 2009. Joining the SES enabled Ceridwen to become involved in her community. Her key interests as an SES member are search and rescue, emergency preparedness, volunteer retention, and community engagement. Ceridwen brings her considerable professional skills in advocacy, outreach and service navigation to the SESVA Management Committee role.

Ross Jones—Kimberley

Ross joined the SES as a Cadet in 1987 and later that year became a full-time member of Mandurah SES. He quickly became a team leader and trainer assessor in numerous SES skills. Ross has held various positions within several SES units across WA and has been the Local Manager of Geraldton-Greenough SES since 2021. Ross believes the future of the SES requires representation on behalf of the volunteers to maintain and improve standards in training, leadership and infrastructure.

SESVA MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE – 17 APRIL MEETING SUMMARY

SESVA Bus Replacement Project
The 8 SESVA buses funded by BHP in 2014 are due for replacement. A working group including interested SES unit leaders will consider replacement bus types and styles and commence a process of attracting a sponsor to fund the purchase and ongoing maintenance of the new buses.

McNamara Family donation for the Young Emerging Leaders Program. An annual contribution of $500 p/a for the next 5 years has generously been offered by the McNamara family to support the YEL Program.

SESVA Insurance Cover

DFES provides insurance coverage for volunteers, however, advises the Association is not covered and needs to continue arranging its own private insurance.

Committee Succession Planning

Committee members are to consider suitable future committee members. The Association will assist prospective members to step up into the role.

Annual General Meeting

The Association AGM will be held in the SESVA Belmont Conference Room on Saturday 13th September 2025 which is the weekend following the W-AFAC and WAFES Awards Gala Dinner

Constitution Amendment

A notice of motion will be developed for the AGM to amend the SESVA Constitution to create a third VP position to improve management of the Association and spread the workload.

Strategic Planning

Member Units will be consulted on the Association’s draft Strategic Plan currently under development.

Training Discussion Paper

More feedback will be sought by direct contact with those Units that are yet to respond.

Wear Orange Wednesday—21st May

The Association has been liaising with DFES on alternative celebratory events and encourages Regional Offices to support WOW Day on its website and Facebook page. Tools and materials will be available for units to download from the SESVA website.

07/05/2025 – AFAC 2925 National Memorial Service

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AFAC 2025 National Memorial Service

On Thursday 1st May, AFAC held the 11th memorial service at the Canberra National Emergency Services Memorial, which honours those emergency services workers from 34 services across Australia and New Zealand who lost their life in line of duty. Twenty five medallions were presented to the families of those who had passed.

The Roll of Honour commemorates all emergency services personnel in Australia and New Zealand who have lost their lives in the line of duty

These names are inscribed on the Emergency Services Memorial Wall in Canberra. You can search for a person using this link: Honour Roll SESVA President Greg Cook and Secretary Allen Gale ESM attended on behalf of the Association.

SES Young Emerging Leaders meet up in Canberra on1st of May Fourteen Young Emerging Leaders from SES units across Australia came together in Canberra as part of the National SES Volunteers Association’s Young Emerging Leaders Program.

Representing WA were Lilika Allum of Nannup SES and Jack Watson of Tom Price SES. The young SES Emerging Leaders group provided the Guard of Honour for the Emergency Management Minister, Senator the Hon Jenny McAllister at the AFAC Memorial Service on the banks of Lake Burley Griffin.

As part of the programme, the group met with the Commissioners from emergency services around the nation and toured Parliament House and emergency service facilities in Canberra.

06/05/2025 – Upcoming Events

06/05/2025 No Comments

UPCOMING EVENTS

National Volunteer Week 19-25 May 2025

National Volunteer Week is Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering. This special event highlights the important role of volunteers in our community and invites people not currently volunteering to give it a go. Celebrate this year’s theme, Connecting Communities, with ready-to-download, fully customisable assets available from the Volunteering Australia website.

Wear Orange Wednesday ‘WOW Day’ will be Celebrated on 21st May 2025

Will you be wearing orange on WOW Day? Help to promote SES by uploading your WOW Day images to social media and sharing them with the Association and local media.

On WOW Day, communities across Australia will be encouraged to wear orange and thank SES volunteers. In WA, DFES will celebrate the day with several iconic buildings and landmarks across the state being lit up in magnificent orange.

The SESVA will be

• advertising WOW Day on its website and Facebook page; • promoting the event to state and local government;

• liaising with DFES on alternative events and regional office support to units; and

• providing resources for units to download from our website.

Need Help? If you need help with Federal and State government contact details, get in touch with the Association Office:

Mob: 0499 619 287

Email: sesva.office@ses-wa.asn.au

05/05/2025 – from the SESVA President May 2025

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From the SESVA President

As we move into the second quarter of 2025, I reflect on the significant events that are changing and shaping our community, which prompt me to advise you of some upcoming opportunities for leadership within our Association.

I’m excited to announce we’ll soon be holding elections for several key positions within the SESVA including President, Vice President and Management Committee members.

We are also seeking EOI’s for Secretary and Treasurer. This is a wonderful opportunity for those who are passionate about our mission and would like to take an active role in shaping our future.

I encourage all members to consider running for a position, or to nominate someone who you believe would be a great fit. Your involvement is crucial to our continued success and the vitality of our community.

I want to express my gratitude for your ongoing support and dedication to our Association. Together, we can navigate the challenges ahead and seize the opportunities that lie before us.

Let us honour the past while looking forward to a bright future filled with promise and potential.

Warm Regards,
Greg Cook, President WA SESVA

SES Volunteer's Association of Western Australia Incorporated

“Together we can; Together we will”