President's Newsletter September 2015

Presidents Message

September traditionally is a busy time for us as a Service, but this year the weather has been especially erratic! We are up, we are down; I watch as people put their winter woollies away only to have to drag them out again!

Operationally, this has kept many of you out and about in the community, but there has also been a lot of non-operational engagement taking place- particularly with some of our English as a second language community groups- with events such as the Moon Festival.

But we have also had members front and centre in their community for the great work they do and have done through the Rotary NSW Emergency Service Community Awards. These awards, boasting the Rotary tag line of ‘service above self’, were presented at a ceremony in Sydney and four of our members- Peta Luke, Louise De Marco, Peter Cinque and Shannon Crofton- were finalists.

Shannon Crofton took out the SES category as well as the overall finalist in the volunteer emergency service category.

We also had a team entered in the National Disaster Rescue Challenge (NDRC). The Kiama team not only wowed the judges at the State challenge in Jamberoo, but continued on to win the National event.

A very big congratulations to both the Rotary finalists, winner and the Kiama team- it is a privilege to be able to work alongside such inspiring individuals in our Service!

Each and every one of our members can contribute either in a small or large way to making out Service stronger, more professional, highly skilled and well trained and I am pleased to announce that the 2015 Scholarships and Grants have been decided on and successful recipients have been notified.

Through this program, we know that volunteers are able to pursue their passion of contributing to the NSW SES community in areas that may sit just outside of essential training and skill development, and as an Association we are happy that we can bolster the training our members get alongside the NSW SES.

As we start that slippery slope into the festive season, and keeping in mind that we have just passed RUOK? Day in September and that October is Mental Health Month; keep an eye on your friends and colleagues, check in on people doing it tough and never be afraid to ask how someone is going.

Look after each other and stay safe!

Update Your Details

We have something special planned for all our members that will commence in the next few months. To deliver this to all our members we will be using the information in our member database. If you need to update your details thenfollow this link to the online system. If you are unable to access the online system (forgotten password maybe) then give us a call on 1300 073 782, send us a fax on 1300 273 782 or drop us an email tooffice@nswsesva.org.au and we will help you out.

Building a Sustainable Future

Our strategic plan covers four broad themes encompassing Recognition, Reputation, Retention and Membership. The plan requires a Functional Reporting Director, as a member of the Board, to take a leadership role in delivery of that part of the plan. The plan is designed to be high level and delivered over a number of years. Significant progress is being made in the Recognition component of the plan.

Learning about Us

The Association recently attended a consultation session on the development of the 2nd NSW Volunteering Strategy. The consultation session focused on the Emergency Management Sector and brought together representatives from the NSW SES, RFS, MRNSW and the VRA. If you are interested in contributing to the strategyfollow this link to an online survey.

Elections

Elections are currently underway in the following Regions, Sydney Western, Central West, Lachlan, Macquarie, Namoi, Far West, Hunter and Richmond Tweed. In addition we are seeking two people to join the Board as Functional Reporting Directors. Nominations close on 9 October 2015. All successful candidates will be expected to attend a workshop on the weekend of the Annual General Meeting from the evening of Friday 6 November to Sunday 8 November 2016.

AFAC Conference

This year the conference theme focused on New Directions in Emergency Management. There was some excellent presentations covering topics from the United Nations on the future of Emergency Management, through to diversity, professionalisation, technology, floods, fires, storms, Emergency Medical Response, warnings, youth engagement, health and wellbeing… and the list goes on. Some of our members had the opportunity to do poster presentations. Members that may be interested in submitting abstracts for presentations can contact the Association if they require assistance.

Young Leaders Forum

The Association has been working hard in its sponsorship and support of the young leaders forum. Members of the group are currently preparing to share some insights with us at the 60th Anniversary Conference.

Presentation to Jim Smith

On Friday 

11 September 2015 the Association presented Fire & Rescue NSW Deputy Commissioner Jim Smith with a Personal Display in recognition of the time he spent with the NSW SES as Acting Commissioner. 

 

Thanks Jim.

National SES Volunteers Association at the National Disaster Rescue Competition

On Saturday 5 September 2015 the National SES Volunteers Association sponsored a dinner held at the ACT Emergency Services Agency Training Complex for the hundreds of volunteers working behind the scenes to make the competition happen. Members of the NSW Volunteers Association attended and said a few words thanking all those that participated to make the event a success.

Don't Forget

• Our new fax number is 1800 2 SESVA (1800 273 782)
• The Volunteer Memorial Service on Sunday 11 October 2015 at 11:00a.m. at The Domain (near Mrs Macquarie’s Chair) Sydney
• WoW Day on 18 November 2015 – follow this link to buy your orange shirts.

Vale

Alan Sharpe