International Men's Day: Passion to serve runs deep

Being there to help people at their worst moment drives Chris Wastie in his role as Coastguard Redcliffe and Redcliffe SES volunteer.

The Clontarf resident says his father helped shaped the man he is today, but community service has been his own passion.

“I just enjoy helping people, I suppose, being involved with community activities. It’s just me,” Chris says.

“I find it rewarding. We see people at their worst moments, whether it’s on the water or they’re up to their knees in floodwater or their roof’s leaking. We’re there for them on their worst day.

“I find people are always appreciative of both Coastguard and SES.”

Chris has been a Coastguard Redcliffe volunteer for 14 years, clocking up 800 operational and training hours, and recently took on the role of Deputy Commander.

He decided to expand his service to the community in April 2024, joining Redcliffe SES Group, and has recently become a Field Operations Manager.

“I like to keep busy,” Chris says.

“I’ve always been a boat person, so I thought Coastguard sounds like the go. I joined and worked my way up over the last 14 years.

“Last year, I thought maybe I’ll branch out a little bit and try something a little bit different. I had a look around and thought SES sounds good, I’ll join those guys and see what happens.”

The 76-year-old says both organisations enable him to help people, stay physically and mentally active, and learn new skills.

He says the Redcliffe SES Group is a ‘well-oiled machine’ thanks to Group Leader Donald Davis.

“It’s not a social club but we do enjoy each other’s company and get in and help each other,” Chris says.

“During (ex-tropical cyclone) Alfred, I personally worked nine days straight and there were other members who were the same.”

He says it was good to see volunteers come to South East Queensland from across Australia to help out.

Tasks Chris carried out included flood assistance, chain sawing trees, community assistance and checking on people to ensure they were OK.

He has also been on deployments to flood zones including in Townsville, Charleville and Ingham.

“It was very sobering, actually, to see. There was one person, in particular, in Ingham ... we went into the garage and they had marks on the garage wall of all the floods they’d been through,” Chris recalls.

“I said: ‘why are you still here?’ She said: ‘where am I going to go, how am I going to sell the house?’”.

Chris says volunteers walked from house to house in Charleville offering assistance, because locals didn’t want to ask for help.

“It makes you feel good. You walk away thinking, ‘I’ve earnt my money today ... hang on, I don’t get paid’,” he says laughing.

Want to volunteer? Visit ses.qld.gov.au