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President's newsletter June 2015

by | July 8, 2016
President's newsletter June 2015

Welcome!

Based on feedback from members, the Board has voted to adopt a new structure for the VA.

The structure is described in a new constitution and associated regulations that were unanimously adopted at the general meeting of directors and Regional representatives held in June.

The new structure comes into effect at the November annual general meeting.

I am confident these significant changes will meet the objectives of the member consultation; that is the new structure and governance will boost volunteer participation, allow decision making at the local level, encourage better communication and more fairly distribute the workload of volunteer representatives.

To everyone who had their say on the restructure over the past few months, a sincere thank you.

I look forward to keeping you updated on the exciting changes and challenges ahead.

Charlie Moir ESM
President NSW SES VA

Applications are now open for NSW SES VA scholarships, sponsorships and unit grants.

Volunteers Association members are welcome to seek financial assistance for training and development opportunities as well as facility upgrades that are not usually funded by government.

Please contact the VA office for more information or assistance with making an application.

Forms are available on this website - see the Benefits tab in the members section – or in the July edition of The Volunteer.

The closing date is July 27.

For the first time a national body will represent SES volunteers.

The National State Emergency Service Volunteers Association was officially established on May 28 following 18 months of hard work. It aims to provide a collective Australia-wide voice on issues of common interest to SES volunteers and their respective organisations.

Initially the NSES VA represents Queensland, Western Australia, Victoria, ACT and NSW with South Australia soon to join. Tasmania and the Northern Territory plan to join once their respective associations are established.

NSW SES VA president Charlie Moir has the honour of being the first chairperson.

On June 1 the National SES VA made a submission to the federal government's tax review.

The submission argues that SES volunteers throughout Australia should be able to claim out of pocket expenses as a tax deduction, to a maximum of a $1000.

It is online at bettertax.gov.au/submissions.

Congratulations to SES volunteer and VA member David King, awarded the prestigious Emergency Services Medal in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

David is deputy controller at the SES Hawkesbury Unit and has dedicated more than 30 years to the service.

Congratulations also go to VA members Louise de Marco and Shannon Crofton, finalists in the 2015 Rotary NSW Emergency Services Community Awards.

This annual scheme recognises those who do a selfless act or provide exceptional service to the community

Seven NSW SES teams competed in the State Disaster Rescue Challenge at Jamberoo in May.

Kiama was the overall winner against City of Sydney, Coffs Harbour, Gosford, Hawkesbury, Port Macquarie-Hastings and Queanbeyan performing well.

Events included vertical rescue and land searches that put skills and ingenuity to the test.

The VA was the major sponsor and the challenge kicked off with an address by Charlie Moir. Company secretary Kim Davis presented the awards.

The new edition The Volunteer magazine features information on and application forms for the 2015 VA funding round, all the action from the State Disaster Rescue Challenge and a special feature on April's severe east coast storms and floods.

The Volunteer is available from all units and region headquarters. It will be online late in July in the members section of the VA website; see the orange News & Calendar tab.

Paddy the Platypus led the charge for the VA's end of year financial sale that is now extended until July 15.

The VA set up shop in Heathcote on June 17 and was ably assisted by volunteers John Gonzales, and Pat Johnson.

Next stops? Ballina on July 6 and Bankstown on July 14.

Tickets for the next VA raffle go on sale across NSW on July 3 and will be available for eight weeks, until August 28. Call centre-based raffles currently provide the largest share of VA income. The public education focus of this campaign is the State Disaster Rescue Competition while the safety message is the NSW SES 132 500 phone number.

The past month saw the VA represented at the Emergency Media and Public Affairs, and Rural Fire Service Association conferences.

President Charlie Moir and general manager Andrew Edwards met with new Minister for Emergency Services David Elliot, NSW SES Commissioner Adam Dent and senior SES staff.

Office assistant Tegan Fry said goodbye to the VA and temporary staff are now filling the role.

But wait there's more …

For more information as well as to have your say about your organisation please contact:

  • your Regional representative, see The Volunteer or the orange Structure tab in the members; area of the VA website for contact details
  • phone 13000 SES VA | 1300 073 782 | 02 8002 2306
  • fax 02 9267 7038
  • email office@nswsesva.org.au or mysay@nswsesva.org.au
  • post Unit 1/2-6 Lindsay Street Rockdale NSW 2216


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