cadets – SES Volunteer's Association of Western Australia Incorporated

14/05/2025 – Upcoming Events National and Local

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Thank a First Responder Day

Thank a First Responder Day 11th June Thank a First Responder Day recognises the commitment and dedication of over 370,000 volunteer and paid first responders across the nation.

The initiative is in its 6th year and raises awareness of the sacrifices first responders and their families make in their service to the community, while also raising funds to support Fortem’s work providing mental health, wellbeing programs and services for first responders and their families.

Local schools, childcare centres, councils and businesses across Australia are being encouraged to get behind their local first responders on 11th June. The VA would love to see your people involved in local events and activities.

More information can be found at TAFRD—Fortem Australia

Swan SES Open Day

Swan SES—Storm Ready Open Day 25th May Is being held at the Swan SES facility for the community to attend between 1100 and 1400, to provide a one-stop shop for storm preparedness information as we move into the upcoming season. Members of the public can:

• Discuss how SES prioritise requests for assistance
• Have a go on the radio and explore prowords
• Ask questions and gain information on the new Emergency WA App and learn about watch zones and the new warning system.
• Learn what to include in an emergency kit.
• Watch demonstrations on sub-pumps and roof safety systems.
• Get hands-on experiences for kids with mini sandbags, dress-ups and photo opportunities.
• Enjoy a sausage sizzle & much more!

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

SES Volunteer's Association of Western Australia Incorporated

“Together we can; Together we will”