Executive Committee Members
Greg has been a proud SES volunteer since 1996 commencing at the Northam SES Unit.
During his time in the Midland’s Region, Greg was able to assist other volunteers by being the region SES Consultative Committee and VA Representative. As well as his activities at the Northam Unit, time was spent as the acting Local Manager, York SES Unit and the Training Manager at the Trayning SES Unit.
After relaxing in the Midlands for 8 years, Greg departed for a period of service as a FESA DM working out of Port Hedland and serving local FESA VES and SES Units.
Since returning to Perth, Greg served as the Section Leader Regional Operations Section (the Belmont Bunker).
More recently he has firmly placed some antennas and a satellite dish on his head. Showing that level of instability, he has been entrusted with being the Local Manager of the Communication Support Unit. Being a person that is challenged by technology, he could not resist the opportunity for personal development. All CSU members are currently hoping that learning will take place one day, preferably soon.
He also holds many SES and National Emergency Management qualifications. Outside of the SES, Greg is a Senior Risk Consultant working in the public and private sectors. His functions include developing solutions for community-based emergency management issues and managing emergencies in facilities planning and training.
Regions:
South East, South West, South Coastal, Great Southern, Upper Great Southern, Lower South West
Alan Hawke has been a member of the SES since 2011, serving with the Bayswater SES Unit where he has functioned in the roles of team leader, operations officer, certified trainer assessor, deputy local manager and acting local manager. He has also been involved in several local government and DFES working groups and committees.
He began his professional career as a bank officer before changing to public accounting, qualifying as a Certified Practicing Account in 1993 and operating his own practise.
Alan expanded his professional qualifications graduating as Bachelor of Business (Accounting and Business Law), Master of Taxation and Bachelor of Laws.
Since 2016 Alan has been a committee member of the SESVA. He has held the position of Vice President from 2016 to 2018 and 2021 to the present.
I joined the SES Canine Unit 15 years ago. During that time I have trained two search dogs and held various positions in the unit, treasurer, manager, deputy manager and currently administration officer. I am also the subject matter expert and senior trainer/assessor. I am looking forward to my role in the Volunteers Association.
Regions:
Pilbara, Kimberley, Midwest/Gascoyne, Goldfields/Midlands, North East and North Coastal
Allen joined the Western Australia State Emergency Service (WASES) as a volunteer in 1970 at Northam where he completed 19 years of service. He joined the WASES career staff in 1989 and retired in 2020 as a Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) District Officer after 31 years service.
His predominant role over 50 years of service to the WA community has been supporting volunteers and empowering resilient communities across Western Australia, having held a variety of volunteer roles in the SES including Team Leader, Section Leader, Training Manager, Deputy Local Manager and Unit Manager.
As a career officer Allen’s roles included WASES Training Officer, Fire and Emergency Service (FESA) District Manager, FESA Media Liaison Officer and DFES-SES Change Manager. Considerable experience was gained at incidents and exercises relating the DFES-SES Hazard Management Agency roles and Combat roles including Land Search, Cliff Rescue, Road Crash Rescue, Air Search, Volunteer Call Centre and Bushfire Support.
Allen has served on the SES Volunteer Advisory Committee and also as a member of various club committees in the Secretary, Treasurer and President roles. In 2007 he gained a Masters in Business Leadership from Curtin Graduate School of Business and his distinguished service was recognised in the Australia Day Honours list of 2021, where he was awarded the Emergency Services Medal.
Allen is currently an active Volunteer Fire and Emergency Service member based at the DFES Education and Heritage Centre in Murray St Perth. He has a keen interest in volunteerism and the preservation of community based local emergency services; in particular that of SES volunteers and the long history of the SES in WA that grew from the Civil Defence era of the 1940s, 50s and 60’s.
Robbie joined Mundaring SES in 1997.
He has held many positions in the Unit including Local Manager, Deputy Local Manager, Treasurer, Admin Officer and currently holds the position of Training Manager.
Robbie currently holds Trainer Assessor qualifications in Storm Damage, AIIMS Awareness, Navigate to an Incident, BGR, USAR cat 1, Radio Communications. Operational Experience includes Searches across the state, running storm damage operations and Bush Fire support.
Support Services
John has been a volunteer member of the SES for 39 years and originally joined the Wanneroo SES unit. John held a number of positions in the Wanneroo unit including six years as Local Manager.
In recent years John has focused his service to the SES Volunteer Association. John was the inaugural Association President and then held the position of Vice President and Treasurer. John served on the FESA Board for twelve years as the SES Volunteer representative.
John has the responsibly of managing the Associations Media and publications which include the website, App, twitter and Facebook.
Regional Representatives
- To contact your Regional Representative call the SESVA Duty Officer on +61499619287 or email
- sesva.northeast@ses-wa.asn.au
Phil has been an active DFES volunteer since 2009, serving in various roles with the SES as well a Bush Fire Brigade, Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services and Marine Rescue in metropolitan Perth and the Pilbara region. His commitment to these roles has allowed him to gain a deep understanding of the challenges and rewards of working in emergency services at the operational levels.
Phil is committed to providing a proud service on the SESVA Management Committee, and eager to contribute his skills and experiences to the important role of the Association.
His SES experience includes several SES deployments, including in Kalbarri for cyclone Seroja and interstate for major floods, also different roles while based at Karratha SES and with Cockburn SES, where he has assisted with social media enhancements and held the position of PR officer.
In Phil’s professional capacity he has had the opportunity to build a strong foundation in incident management of complex interagency and industry emergency response, having written up a State Hazard Plan, designed/implemented an Incident Control Centre and high-tech intelligence situation room, and serving in a Hazard Management Officer role with the Department of Transport as the HMA in their Maritime Emergency Response section.
Phil is trained in the Australian Marine Safety Authority Incident Management Team, Operations, Logistics, and Planning, under the AIMSS structure. This training has equipped him with the necessary skills to handle emergency situations effectively in a structure capacity.
In his professional capacity, holding Director roles within State Government he has been a member of the District Emergency Management Committee and the Local Emergency Management Committee for emergency response in the Pilbara and Kimberley regions.
He is enthusiastic and focused on volunteering projects that promote volunteer well-being and foster a positive culture. This will ultimately bring significant benefits to the SES volunteers in WA, through his role with the SESVA, where Phil is eager to make volunteering a positive place to work for everyone.
Phil is eager to contribute to the SESVA Management Committee and to continue serving our communities.
Units:
Belmont-Victoria Park SES, Bassendean SES, Swan SES and Mundaring SES
- To contact your Regional Representative call the SESVA Duty Officer on+61499619287 or email
- sesva.pilbara@ses-wa.asn.au
Units:
Hedland SES, Karratha SES, Exmouth SES, Tom Price SES, Newman SES & Roebourne -Wickham SES
- To contact your Regional Representative call the SESVA Duty Officer on +61499619287 or email
- sesva.northcoastal@ses-wa.asn.au
Units:
Northshore SES, Stirling SES, Bayswater SES, Wanneroo – Joondalup SES and Two Rocks SES
- To contact your Regional Representative call the SESVA Duty Officer on +61499619287 or email
- sesva.southeast@ses-wa.asn.au
SES Membership 1983 – Joined SES at Gosnells, 1985 – Port Hedland SES, 1987- Gosnells SES and qualified in Single ropes Techniques, Cliff Rescue Team Member, Cliff Rescue T/L and served as Training Officer.1996 – Karratha SES as Rescue Officer/Training Officer, RCR – team member and RCR – Team Leader In 1999 Martin was deployed to Exmouth for Cyclone Vance.2002 – present – Serpentine Jarrahdale SES Training Manager and 2006 –SJ Manager2002 – 2010 ARRO (RCR) competition Team Leader/ Coach and represented WASES Nationally (Aust & New Zealand) & International (World Challenge) in New Zealand. ARRO Judge (Nationally).
Martin had various deployments to cyclones & Bush fires and Representative on PAT – General Rescue Ute & Storm Damage Truck. Martin is an Assessor in USAR, chainsaw, Storm damage, BGR & On Road driving.
Employment1984 -Joined Civil Aviation Service (now Airservices Australia) in as a Aviation Rescue Fire Fighter at Perth. Transfers to Port Hedland, Karratha and 2016-2018 FI/FO to port Hedland. Assignments to ARFF Training college Melbourne as a instructor and Obtained a Rank of Fire Commander. Hold a Diploma of Public Safety Firefighting Management and in 2011 completed a course PUAOPE006A Control Multi Agency Emergency Situations (Level 3) at WA Police Academy. He was also a Airservices Australia – Emergency Vehicle Instructor.
Retired – 2019
Units:
Armadale SES, Kalamunda SES, Gosnells SES, Canning-South Perth SES, &Serpentine-Jarrahdale SES
- To contact your Regional Representative call the SESVA Duty Officer on +61419935497 or email
- sesva.kimberley@ses-wa.asn.au
Units:
Broome SES, Kununurra SES, and Derby SE
- To contact your Regional Representative call the SESVA Duty Officer on +61499619287 or email
- sesva.southcoastal@ses-wa.asn.au
Units:
Rockingham-Kwinana SES, Melville SES Cockburn SES, Mandurah & SWORD SES Logistics
- To contact your Regional Representative call the SESVA Duty Officer on +61499619287 or email
- sesva.goldfieldsmidlands@ses-wa.asn.au
I have been a Volunteer with the SES at Northam for the past 2 years. However, I have been part of the Volunteer world in Emergency Services for over 20 years.
I started off my journey with volunteering when I joined St John Ambulance back in 1998 in Perth. I spent 22 years with St John Ambulance. 7 of these were working alongside a Career Paramedic up in Northam in Country Ambulance. I have served in 3 Ambulance depots in this time before I decided to do a sea change (or country change) and join the SES.
My entry into the SES was not one I would have considered for me as I always felt that I was not capable and didn’t think I could do the job. I had been in awe of SES people (and still am) as being amazing people. Even though I am now a part of the “Orange family” I firmly believe our people are very well trained and incredible human beings.
I have learned just how capable I am, and this is down to the level of training I have received and the incredible support given to me by my fellow SES members. Everyone has been so welcoming and willing to teach me and help no matter what the issue.
As a recent appointed member of SESVA Management Committee, I aim to do my best to give back to these wonderful orange people who give so willingly and without complaint.
Units:
Kalgoorlie/Boulder SES, Merredin SES, Northam SES and Toodyay SES
- To contact your Regional Representative call the SESVA Duty Officer on +61499619287 or email
- sesva.midwestgascoyne@ses-wa.asn.au
Hugh has lived and worked in the Moora shire all his life, apart from working away for a short time in the Kimberley in the 1980’s before returning home to raise a family with his wife Leonie.
He joined the Moora SES in 1983 and was appointed Local Coordinator of the unit in 1995. Hugh was thrown in the deep end in March 1999 following Tropical Cyclone Elaine when Moora flooded in March and again in May and one more time in August of the same year. In 2003 Hugh worked tirelessly towards having a new purpose-built headquarters being established for the unit with a sand pad being built up a further 1500mm to ensure in wouldn’t flood.
Hugh has attended many incidents, training activities and exercises throughout the Midwest-Gascoyne, Goldfields-Midlands and Metropolitan regions over his 40 plus years of service. He is well known by SES and DFES personnel, not to mention Police, Local Government and other officials that he has collaborated with in his various work and volunteer roles.
Hugh received a FESA Recognition Award following the Moora Floods and was awarded the second Clasp to the Australian National Medal which was presented in 2022. Hugh’s passion is about giving back to the community by volunteering and supporting others who want to give back to community in the same, worthwhile way.
Unit:
Carnarvon SES, Useless Loop SES, Shark Bay SES, Kalbarri SES, Meekatharra SES, Moora SES, Geraldton-Greenough SES & Coastal Districts (Eneabba)
- To contact your Regional Representative call the SESVA Duty Officer on +61499619287 or email
- sesva.uppergreatsouthern@ses-wa.asn.au
SERGIO (SARGE) BOTTACIN
Sarge returned to the Management Committee in 2024 after a twelve-month break. Sarge joined the Northam District SES unit in 1987 where he held positions of Team Member, Team Leader, Training Manager, Local Manager and currently the Training Manager of the Pingelly SES unit. In 2023 Sarge was awarded the 2nd Clasp to the National Medal having been initially awarded the Medal in 2002. Included in his long service with the WA State Emergency Service, Sarge was awarded the Peter Keillor Award by his peers in 2009.
Sarge Is passionate about imparting his knowledge to other SES Volunteers and making the community more prepared. He attended many incidents including the floods of Moora in 1999 after ex Tropical Cyclone Elaine dropped flooding rain in the Moore River catchment, in 2017 during the York/Northam Storms, more Flooding in Nungarin and Northam and a major tornado in Kellerberrin. Sarge also assisted in many major metro storms over more than 35 years.
Sarge was active with the SESVA from December 2017 when he was appointed as a sub-committee member. He was appointed as the Goldfields-Midlands Management Committee member in November 2019 until January 2023. Sarge brings with him extensive training knowledge and a relentless commitment to improving exercise management, along with his desire to capture the history of the SES and the Civil Defence organisation in WA, including building up a collection of information, images and equipment that could be accessed by volunteers and the public in the years ahead.
Units:
Pingelly SES, Narrogin SES, Wagin SES and Boddington SES
- To contact your Regional Representative call the SESVA Duty Officer on +61499619287 or email
- sesva.southwest@ses-wa.asn.au
I joined the Bunbury Unit in February 2009, shortly after relocating to Bunbury from Sydney. I was looking for a way of ‘giving back’ to the community and saw, in a media article in the local paper, that the Unit were looking for more volunteers, and for those with admin skills – which I have aplenty.
I undertook the range of training courses on offer and thoroughly enjoy being a part of the SES family. In 2012 I was elected to the role of Administration & Finance Manager. I fulfilled this role until the Unit restructured in 2015 when I was elected to the role of Deputy Local Manager – Admin & Logistics, a role that I still fulfil. This role manages the business, corporate and governance sides of the Unit. As part of this role, I am actively engaged in supporting the new Local Manager at another Unit. I am now not physically fit enough to attend callouts, other than for water bomber reloading, but still participate in incidents using my communications and operation centre skills.
Units:
Australind SES, Bunbury SES, Collie SES, Harvey SES & Murray SES
- To contact your Regional Representative call the SESVA Duty Officer on +61499619287 or email
- sesva.lowersouthwest@ses-wa.asn.au
Les is an active SES member and current Training Manager for the Margaret River SES Unit. He is also undertaking support to a number of active TRK projects, namely the General Rescue Intermediate/Advanced training and the Training Manager TRK, so he is able to get good insight to what is happening with SES training and development.
Les is confident that his 13 years on staff in SES training roles with FESA/DFES and also his time as an active SES volunteer/trainer and leader in a number of SES Unit (Swan, Karratha and Margaret River) will be of considerable benefit to a core of dedicated volunteer members within the 12 regions across WA.
Les is well known to SES members having had extensive training involvement and exposure particularly with SES members who have been around for some time.
Les is looking forward to renewing connections with SES members in his role and hopeful of their support for his efforts.
Units:
Augusta/Margaret River SES, Nannup SES, Bridgetown SES, Busselton SES, Manjimup SES, Donnybrook SES and Walpole
- To contact your Regional Representative call the SESVA Duty Officer on +61499619287 or email
- sesva.greatsouthern@ses-wa.asn.au
Units:
Albany SES, Denmark SES, Gnowangerup SES, Mount Barker SES, Esperance SES and Ravensthorpe SES
