Executive Council Meeting
2025-05-15 17:30 - 19:30, 2025-06-09 17:30 - 19:30 (Australia/Perth) | SESVA office, 91 Leake Street, Belmont, Western Australia, 6104, Australia
The SESVA Executive Management Team meets regularly to share information, ideas, issues, and perspectives to discuss the day-to-day running of the Association and make decisions as required. The Team is made up of the President, Vice presidents, Secretary and Treasurer

National Volunteer Week
2025-05-19 08:00 - 2025-05-25 17:00 | SESVA office, 91 Leake Street, Belmont, Western Australia, 6104, Australia
We are pleased to announce the theme for National Volunteer Week 2025 is ‘Something for Everyone’. National Volunteer Week 2025 will recognise the diverse passions and talents everyone brings to the act of volunteering.
It’s an invitation to explore the myriad of opportunities available, emphasising that there’s a place for everyone in the world of volunteering. Whether you’re drawn to environmental causes, community outreach, education, or beyond, there’s a place where your unique skills and interests can flourish.
Let’s come together during National Volunteer Week, embracing this theme to showcase the vast spectrum of possibilities and the transformative impact that emerges when everyone finds their meaningful role in making a difference.

SESVA Management Committee
2025-05-19 18:00 - 20:00 | SESVA office, 91 Leake Street, Belmont, Western Australia, 6104, Australia
SESVA Full Management Committee meets regularly to share information, ideas, issues, and perspectives to discuss the running of the Association and make decisions as required. The Committee consists of the President, Vice presidents, Secretary and Treasurer and all Regional Representatives.
The meeting agenda consists of, Opening, attendance and apologies, President report, Treasures Report, Correspondence Subcommittee and Regional Representatives reports and general Business.

Wear Orange Wednesday
2025-05-21 08:00 - 17:00 | To be advised, Australia
Wednesday 21 May, 2025 is Wear Orange Wednesday or ‘WOW Day’. On this day we encourage communities across Western Australia to wear orange and thank all SES volunteers who generously give their time to help communities during flood and storm emergencies.
Here’s to all the volunteers across Western Australia who work all year round to protect us at our most vulnerable. We thank you for saving lives and protecting communities.

DFES METROPOLITAN SES LEADERS - PRE-WINTER FORUM 2025
2025-05-24 07:30 - 14:00 | Perth Zoo South Perth

Goldfields Midlands Region SES Leaders Forum
2025-07-05 08:00 - 2025-07-06 17:00 | To be advised, Australia

SESVA management Committee nominations due
2025-07-15 08:00 - 17:00 | SESVA office, 91 Leake Street, Belmont, Western Australia, 6104, Australia

SESVA Monthly Update submissions due
2025-07-24 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-09-16 08:00 - 17:00 | SESVA office, 91 Leake Street, Belmont, Western Australia, 6104, Australia

Toodyay SES Unit 10 year anniversary
2025-07-27 08:00 - 17:00 | To be advised, Australia

SESVA August Monthly update published and distributed
2025-08-01 08:00 - 17:00 | SESVA office, 91 Leake Street, Belmont, Western Australia, 6104, Australia

SESVA - AGM Agenda items submissions due
2025-08-07 08:00 - 17:00 | SESVA office, 91 Leake Street, Belmont, Western Australia, 6104, Australia

SESVA Spring Newsletter Submissions due
2025-08-19 08:00 - 17:00 | SESVA office, 91 Leake Street, Belmont, Western Australia, 6104, Australia

SESVA August Management Committee Meeting
2025-08-21 18:00 - 20:00 | SESVA office, 91 Leake Street, Belmont, Western Australia, 6104, Australia

DFES Family Fun Day
2025-08-24 10:30 - 14:00 | Elizabeth Quay
The DFES (Department of Fire and Emergency Services) is hosting a free Family Fun Day called Sirens on the Swan: DFES Family Fun Day at Elizabeth Quay in Perth, on Sunday, August 24, 2025, from 10:30 am to 2:00 pm. The event will feature live demonstrations by DFES units including the RAC Rescue helicopter, vertical rescue, marine rescue, and road crash rescue, as well as appliance and vessel displays, kids’ activities, and food trucks

2025 AFAC Conference, a supercharged WAFES Conference for volunteers.
2025-08-26 08:00 - 2025-08-29 17:00 | SESVA office, 91 Leake Street, Belmont, Western Australia, 6104, Australia
This year offers volunteers a unique opportunity to attend the W-AFAC Conference from Tuesday 26 to Friday 29 August at the Perth Exhibition and Convention centre.
A blend of all your favorite experiences from the WAFES Conference with the bonus of the national AFAC Conference and Exhibition, this is once in seven-year opportunity not to be missed.
As always, the event will allow volunteers from across the State to come together to network and share ideas. While a program of engaging content and experiences including tours, keynote speakers and presentations will enhance the knowledge and skills of those who attend.
The W-AFAC Conference will include:
Tuesday 26 August: Exhibition opening and welcome event – think WAFES Conference sundowner, but bigger!
Wednesday 27 and Friday 29 August: AFAC conference program including access to the exhibition with demonstrations each day
Friday 29 August: The ever-popular DFES tours run during the day with the WAFES Awards gala dinner rounding out the week
Information on how to register your interest to attend the 2025 W-AFAC Conference and WAFES Awards will be announced in 2025.

WAFES Awards and Gala Dinner
2025-08-29 08:00 - 17:00 | PerthExhibition and Conference Centre, 21 Mounts Bay Road, Perth, Western australia, 6000, Australia

SESVA Elections Ballots Close
2025-08-30 08:00 - 17:00 | SESVA office, 91 Leake Street, Belmont, Western Australia, 6104, Australia

SESVA Newsletter Published and distributed
2025-09-05 08:00 - 17:00 | SESVA office, 91 Leake Street, Belmont, Western Australia, 6104, Australia

SESVA Annual General Meeting
2025-09-13 10:00 - 11:00 | SESVA office, 91 Leake Street, Belmont, Western Australia, 6104, Australia
An Annual General Meeting (AGM) is a yearly meeting held for SESVA, to provide members with an update on the organization’s performance and activities, allowing for questions and feedback, and potentially for the election of new board members. It’s a key governance tool for ensuring transparency and accountability.

SESVA Monthly update published and distributed
2025-10-03 08:00 - 17:00 | SESVA office, 91 Leake Street, Belmont, Western Australia, 6104, Australia

Bernie McNamara ESM Young Emerging Leaders Programme Applications Close
2025-10-31 08:00 - 17:00 | SESVA office, 91 Leake Street, Belmont, Western Australia, 6104, Australia
The WA Young Emerging Leader’s Program is aligned with the National SESVA YEL Program which aims to provide development opportunities for young SES volunteers. While in Canberra Jack and Lilika will join other young SES emerging leaders and meet the Governor-General and Commissioners from emergency
services around the nation.
The programme is aligned with the National SES Volunteers Association YEL Programme which provides an opportunity for two young SES volunteers from WA to participate in the AFAC National Memorial Service which is held at the National Emergency Services Memorial , Canberra in late April/early May.
They do this with other young volunteers from the other Australian jurisdictions and also get the chance to meet the Governor General and the Commissioners of emergency services from the other jurisdictions.
The two young WA SES volunteers who are under the age of 30 will be selected based on their achievements using a fair and transparent selection process managed by the SES Volunteers Association of WA.
SELECTION PROCESS
Young SES WA volunteers under the age of 30 to apply for the YEL programme on the supplied form for consideration by a selection panel appointed by the SESVA Management Committee.
The winner of the annual WA Fire and Emergency Services SES Youth Achievement Award is automatically selected as the other young SES WA volunteer to attend the Canberra memorial.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applicants are asked to provide a paragraph or two about themselves and write what they believe they can contribute as a Young Representative for the SES Volunteers Association of WA. A supporting reference from the Local Manager of the applicants SES unit must also accompany the application.

SESVA Summer Newsletter submissions due
2025-11-18 08:00 - 17:00 | SESVA office, 91 Leake Street, Belmont, Western Australia, 6104, Australia

Youth in Emergency Services Challenge
2025-11-29 08:00 - 17:00 | To be advised, Australia

International Volunteer Day
2025-12-05 | Western Australia
International Volunteer Day – December 5
Volunteering WA proudly supports International Volunteer Day (IVD) on 5 December 2025, to raise awareness of the important role volunteers play in responding to challenges facing the world.
International Volunteer Day commonly known as IVD is celebrated on 5 December every year. It started as an international observance mandated by the United Nations General Assembly in 1985. It’s a day where volunteers are acknowledged and the spirit of volunteerism is promoted at the local, national and international levels.
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme joins IVD celebrations with UN Volunteers and all volunteers around the world – amplifying the importance of people-led solutions to our common challenges.
The 2025 theme has been announced as “Every Contribution Matters.” This theme celebrates the power of collective action and acknowledges that every act of volunteering, big or small, contributes to a stronger and more connected world.
This year, 5 December marks an important moment. It is the official launch of International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IVY2026), a global initiative that highlights the crucial role of volunteering in achieving sustainable development.

Young Emerging Leaders for 2026 announced
2025-12-15 | SESVA office, 91 Leake Street, Belmont, Western Australia, 6104, Australia
The Bernie McNamara SES Young Emerging Leaders (YEL) Program is run by the WA SESVA to develop young volunteers in WA.
It is directly aligned with the National SESVA YEL Program and provides an opportunity for two young WA volunteers to participate in the national memorial service and leadership events in Canberra. One spot is automatically awarded to the winner of the annual WA Fire and Emergency Services SES Youth Achievement Award. The other is selected via an application process overseen by a panel from the SESVA of WA.
SES volunteers aged 18 to 30 years are invited to apply by 30 November
Read what the 2024 SES Youth Achievement Award winner, Jack Watson of the Tom Price SES, had to say a􀅌er returning from Canberra in May 2025:
Just got back from an unforgettable trip to Canberra as part of the Young Emerging Leaders (YEL) program. We had the absolute honour of forming a guard of honour at the AFAC National Memorial Service — an incredibly moving experience… but the absolute highlight? Connecting with other YELs from across the country. Hearing everyone’s stories, learning about the differences in how we operate across states and territories, and have real, open discussions about the challenges we face — it was inspiring, eye-opening, and genuinely one of the best experiences I’ve had.
Program activities
The specific schedule of activities varies each year, but typically includes:

Participate in the AFAC National Memorial Service in Canberra.
A chance to meet the Governor General and the Commissioners of emergency services from other areas.
Tours of key national organisations, such as Parliament House, Geoscience Australia, and the National
Emergency Management Agency.

Application process
To be considered, an applicant must:

be a registered SES volunteer in WA aged between 18 and 30 years as at 30 November 2025.
submit a supporting reference from the Local Manager of the applicant’s SES unit.
submit a completed application form to the SESVA Secretary, providing information about themselves on the form, including community and leadership involvement, as well as leadership aspirations and how they see themself as a leader in 5 years. The form can also be requested by email sesva.office@ses-wa.asn.au

Selection Process
The selection panel is made up of independent people, chaired by a SESVA committee member.
Timing

30 November 2025: closing date for applications.
15 December 2025: announcement of the selected candidate(s) for the YEL program 2026.
2026: 4 or 5 days at the end of April/start of May—AFAC

SESVA Management Committee meeting
2025-12-18 18:00 - 20:00 | SESVA office, 91 Leake Street, Belmont, Western Australia, 6104, Australia
The SESVA Management Committee members are the persons who, as the management committee of the Association, have the power to manage the Association’s affairs. The committee must take all reasonable steps to ensure that the Association complies with the Act, these rules and the by-laws (if any). Subject to the Act, these rules, the by-laws (if any) and any resolution passed at a general meeting, the committee has the power to do all things necessary or convenient to be done for the proper management of the affairs of the Association, and in particular, may: acquire, hold, deal with and dispose of any real and personal property, hold property and equipment as may be provided by any other body upon the terms stipulated by the said body.

SESVA February Update published
2026-02-04 | SESVA office, 91 Leake Street, Belmont, Western Australia, 6104, Australia
The association newsletter is a communication tool that provides updates, news, and information to members and SES Volunteers. The newsletters can include updates, event announcements, training development resources, career tips, and messages from leadership. They are used to engage Association members and Volunteers, promote participation, and reflect the SESVA mission.

Volunteer Advisory Committee (VAC) Meeting
2026-02-05 08:00 - 17:00 | DFES – Cockburn, 20 Stockton Bend, Cockburn, Western Australia, 6164
The DFES Volunteer Advisory Committees (VACs) in Western Australia represent the five key volunteer emergency services—Marine Rescue, Bush Fire Service, Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services, Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services, and State Emergency Service—providing direct advice to the Emergency Services Minister and Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner. These committees, established/renewed in 2023, address strategic matters, sustainability, and operational issues affecting over 26,000 volunteers.
