SES Volunteers Association of Western Australia Incorporated

May National Volunteer Week
2026-05-18 08:00 - 2026-05-24 17:00 (Australia/Perth) | Western Australia SES Units
National Volunteer Week is Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering.
It recognises the contribution of millions of volunteers across the country and invites everyone to discover how giving their time and talents can create connection, purpose, and stronger communities. We encourage volunteer-involving organisations, governments, researchers, corporates, and other enabling organisations to promote the week and use the available resources to help raise awareness of the contribution volunteers make every day.

THEME

Your Year to Volunteer honours the contributions of volunteers and invites people across Australia to make 2026 a year of meaningful involvement, in ways that work for them. 2026 is the United Nations International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IVY 2026), recognising the vital role volunteers play in building sustainable, inclusive communities worldwide.
National Volunteer Week 2026 supports IVY 2026 by amplifying the voices of volunteers, celebrating their contributions, and encouraging action to help volunteering thrive across Australia. This year is a moment to thank those who already give their time and to invite others to discover how volunteering can create connection, purpose, and lasting positive change.

Melville SES 50th Anniversary celebration dinner
2026-05-18 19:00 - 22:00 | SESVA office, 91 Leake Street, Belmont, Western Australia, 6104, Australia

WOW Day 2026
2026-05-20 | Western Australia SES Units
WOW Day stands for Wear Orange Wednesday, a national day in Australia to thank and show appreciation for State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers. It is celebrated during National Volunteer Week and encourages the public to wear orange, organise events, and use social media to recognise SES volunteers who help communities during emergencies like floods, storms, and rescues. Iconic buildings are often lit up orange to mark the occasion.

SESVA Management Committee Meeting
2026-05-28 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-07-23 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-09-24 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-11-26 18:30 - 20:30 | SESVA – Online meeting (Teams), 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.

Thank a First Responder Day
2026-06-10 08:00 - 17:00 | Western Australia SES Units
National First Responders Day is a day set aside to honor and show appreciation for the dedicated people who are the first to arrive and provide assistance during emergencies and critical situations.

Goldfields-Midlands - all service Volunteer Leadership Development Forum
2026-06-13 | Northam DFES

SESVA Executive Council Meeting
2026-06-25 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-08-27 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-10-22 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-12-17 18:30 - 20:30 | SESVA – Online meeting (Teams), 91 Leake Street, Belmont, Western Australia, 6104, Australia
The Executive Council Members (ECM) are elected or appointed to manage SESVA WA’s business and affairs. The ECM’s duties include determining and implementing policies and making decisions consistent with our vision and mission. Their role is about the common good at a state level.

AFAC Conference 2026 in Melbourne
2026-08-18 08:00 - 2026-08-21 17:00 | Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC).
Returning to Melbourne, AFAC26 will bring together thousands of emergency management professionals, industry leaders, and innovators to share knowledge, showcase technology, and strengthen connections across the sector.
Your ongoing support and collaboration continue to elevate this event as Australasia’s leading emergency management conference and exhibition.
We look forward to welcoming you to AFAC26, taking place from 18–21 August 2026 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC).
Let’s continue shaping the future of emergency management, together.
AFAC Conference and Exhibition Industry Recognition
Recognised as the Best Trade Show and Best Event of 2024 at the Australian Business Event Awards, AFAC continues to set the standard for industry excellence. It has also been awarded Best Association Event at the EEAA Awards for Excellence in both 2019 and 2022.

AFAC Conference in Melbourne
2026-08-18 08:00 - 2026-08-23 17:00 | Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
Returning to Melbourne, AFAC26 will bring together thousands of emergency management professionals, industry leaders, and innovators to share knowledge, showcase technology, and strengthen connections across the sector.
Your ongoing support and collaboration continue to elevate this event as Australasia’s leading emergency management conference and exhibition.
We look forward to welcoming you to AFAC26, taking place from 18–21 August 2026 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC).
Let’s continue shaping the future of emergency management, together.
AFAC Conference and Exhibition Industry Recognition
Recognised as the Best Trade Show and Best Event of 2024 at the Australian Business Event Awards, AFAC continues to set the standard for industry excellence. It has also been awarded Best Association Event at the EEAA Awards for Excellence in both 2019 and 2022.

The Conference

AFAC26 Conference & Exhibition runs from 18-21 August 2026, bringing you insights from over 100 expert speakers.
You’ll hear from international and local thought leaders across our multi-streamed AFAC conference.
This includes the Australian Disaster Resilience Conference, Women and Firefighting Australasia (WAFA) and the Institution of Fire Engineers (Australia) National Conference as concurrent streams.
The event concludes with the Professional Development Program on 21 August 2026.

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The Exhibition

Midwest-Goldfields forum
2026-08-22 - 2026-08-23 | To be advised, Australia

2026 WA Fire and Emergency Services Conference & Awards
2026-09-04 08:00 - 2026-09-05 17:00 | Crown Perth, Great Eastern Highway, Burswood, Western Australia, 6100, Australia
The 2026 WA Fire and Emergency Services (WAFES) Conference will be held at Crown Perth, Burswood, from Friday 4 to Saturday 5 September 2026. The conference brings together volunteers, DFES personnel and emergency-service partners from across Western Australia.
Friday 4 September – Tours & networking
Friday is primarily a behind-the-scenes and learning day, with a range of optional tours:

DFES Nerve Centre – State Operations Centre, Metropolitan Operations Centre, Communications Centre and emergency coordination.
Fleet Design, Delivery and Maintenance – visit the DFES O’Connor workshop and see how emergency appliances are designed, built and maintained.
Lithium-ion battery fires – explore the emerging battery-fire threat and visit ChemCentre.
Eye in the Sky – emergency-services aviation at Jandakot Airport, including RAC Rescue.
Bushfire innovation, skills and cultural knowledge – visit the Bushfire Centre of Excellence and learn about modern bushfire training and Cultural Fire practices.
Search and rescue and incident training – Urban Search and Rescue, vertical and confined-space rescue, heavy rescue equipment and virtual-reality training.

Ministerial Volunteer Advisory Forum
1:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Volunteers have an opportunity to meet with the Minister for Emergency Services and FES Commissioner Darren Klemm AFSM to discuss current and future issues affecting volunteers and volunteering across WA.
Friday evening – Sundowner
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm | Burswood on Swan
The sundowner provides an opportunity for volunteers and DFES staff to network, catch up with colleagues and see some of the latest DFES initiatives, technology, appliances and vessels.
Conference theme
“Bright Futures, Stronger Services”
The 2026 theme focuses on:

embracing new ideas and innovation
bringing together different generations of volunteers
encouraging emerging volunteers and leaders
strengthening connections across emergency services
developing modern and sustainable emergency-service capability.

Saturday 5 September – Main conference
The main conference program includes keynote presentations and concurrent sessions covering subjects such as interstate deployments, flood intelligence, misinformation during emergencies, climate and weather, vertical rescue, lithium-ion incidents, social media, marine emergencies and contemporary rescue techniques.
The keynote speakers are Jessica Watson OAM and Scott Millar.
Why it is important for SES volunteers
For SES members, the conference provides a valuable opportunity to:
Learn → Network → Share experience → See new technology → Influence the future of volunteering
It is particularly relevant to the SES because many of the sessions address volunteer capability, emerging risks, community engagement, rescue operations, flood intelligence, technology and the future of emergency services.
The SES Volunteers Association of WA also lists the conference as an event on 4 September 2026 at Crown Perth.
In short: Friday 4 September is much more than the opening day—it is an opportunity for WA emergency-service volunteers to get behind the scenes, learn from specialist teams, meet senior decision-makers and see where DFES and the wider emergency-services sector are heading.

National Disaster Rescue Challenge 2026
2026-09-11 08:00 - 2026-09-13 17:00 | Atherton Tablelands
The National Disaster Rescue Challenge brings State Emergency Service (SES) teams from across Australia together to test their rescue skills, teamwork, and leadership in simulated high-pressure emergency scenarios. [1]

Event Overview

What: Multi-scenario disaster response competition including vertical rescue, confined space operations, mass casualty management, and structural collapse simulations. [1, 2]

Who: Winning regional and state SES teams representing their respective state and territory services. [1]

Aim: Build interagency cooperation, share technical rescue knowledge, and evaluate operational readiness under realistic disaster conditions. [1, 2]

For official updates, schedules, and announcements regarding state-level qualifiers or national competitions, check the Queensland State Emergency Service portal or follow the Queensland SES Facebook page

SESVA Annual General Meeting
2026-09-12 09:00 - 10:30 | SESVA office, 91 Leake Street, Belmont, Western Australia, 6104, Australia
SESVA WA Annual General Meeting – 2026 Summary
The SES Volunteers Association of Western Australia Incorporated (SESVA) will hold its 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) on:

Date: Saturday, 12 September 2026
Time: 9:00 am
Venue: DFES North East Regional Office, Lecture Theatre, 91 Leake Street, Belmont WA
Online participation: Microsoft Teams is available for delegates unable to attend in person.

Purpose of the AGM
The AGM is an important part of SESVA’s governance. It provides member Units with an opportunity to:

Receive reports on SESVA’s activities and performance during the past year.
Consider the Association’s financial and governance matters.
Raise questions and provide feedback.
Consider proposed AGM agenda items.
Participate in elections and the appointment of SESVA representatives where required.
Help set the direction and priorities of the Association for the coming year.

Under the SESVA Constitution, the ordinary business of an AGM includes confirming previous minutes and receiving the committee’s annual report and financial reporting.
Unit voting
All member Units are eligible to vote, with each member Unit having one vote. The Unit must nominate an authorised Member Delegate, with the appropriate form signed by both the delegate and the Unit Authorising Officer/Local Manager.
The completed Member Delegate Form must be received by the Returning Officer by Friday, 11 September 2026. Units that do not return the form by the deadline will not be eligible to vote at the AGM.
Key point for SES Units
The 2026 AGM is more than a formal annual requirement. It is an opportunity for SES volunteers and Units across Western Australia to have their voices heard, contribute to the Association’s future direction and ensure SESVA continues to represent the interests of volunteers at the State level.
In short:

The SESVA AGM is the key annual forum where member Units exercise their voting rights, review the Association’s performance, participate in governance and help shape the future representation of SES volunteers in Western Australia.

November Summer Newsletter submissions deadline
2026-11-17 | SESVA office, 91 Leake Street, Belmont, Western Australia, 6104, Australia
The SES Volunteers Association of Western Australia (SESVA) produces a regular newsletter to keep SES volunteers, units and other interested parties informed about important developments across the WA SES and DFES environment. The newsletter is an important communication and engagement tool for the Association.
Key purposes

Represent volunteers – communicate issues affecting SES volunteers and the Association’s advocacy work.
Keep volunteers informed – provide updates from SESVA leadership, DFES and the broader emergency services sector.
Promote training and development – highlight training opportunities, leadership programs, webinars and professional development.
Report on SESVA activities – provide updates from Management Committee meetings and Association initiatives.
Recognise volunteers – promote awards, achievements, anniversaries and contributions by SES members and units.
Promote events – provide information about conferences, exercises, meetings and upcoming important dates.
Provide operational information – communicate relevant fleet, facilities, operations and organisational developments.

The SESVA newsletter has evolved into more than a traditional newsletter. It provides a regular information and advocacy channel between SESVA, volunteers and the wider SES community. Its combination of leadership messages, governance information, operational updates, training, volunteer recognition and upcoming events gives volunteers a useful overview of what is happening across the organisation.
SESVA maintains a newsletter archive dating back to 2017, providing a useful historical record of Association activities and issues affecting WA SES volunteers.

International Volunteer day
2026-12-05 | 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.
