Join a Moreton Bay SES unit and help change lives

Published 10:00am 15 February 2024

It was a busy start to the year for Moreton Bay SES volunteers, with more than 7500 operational hours between December 1 and late January.

As Queensland flood warnings persisted over the holiday period, 47 Moreton Bay SES volunteers found themselves helping communities in Cairns in the aftermath of Cyclone Jasper.

Meanwhile, 81 different members travelled across the South East region, completing more than 1000 requests for assistance and 250 requests in the City of Moreton Bay alone.

Moreton Bay SES Local Controller Sean Harrop says the scale of operations this summer is hard to articulate.

“Moreton Bay SES members have risen to every challenge and helped on so many different fronts, often concurrently, and helped so many people. It’s been an inspiring feat to see,” Sean says.

While many tasks were difficult to complete in summer, the most rewarding part of being an SES volunteer is the communities they help and the connections they make.

“The most important part of our work is the interactions and support we provide to the people directly affected,” Sean says.

“It can’t be underestimated how important to each person’s journey of recovery it is to have an SES member to talk to, tell their story to, and be there as they come to grips with what has happened.”

This March, all seven SES groups in Arana Hills, Bribie Island, Caboolture, Deception Bay, Petrie, Redcliffe and Woodford will be holding recruitment information sessions, although prospective volunteers can apply to join at any time online.

The SES are currently seeking more than 100 new volunteers to join the Moreton Bay SES units.

“New SES members don’t need any special skills to join. They just need to be able to work in a team, be willing to learn new things and have a desire to help others,” Sean says.

“The wonderful thing about SES volunteers is they come from all walks of life. We have members of all ages between 16 to 85, from all different backgrounds and careers.

“This is what makes SES special. We are a community-run and community-focused organisation, so we are a reflection of the diversity of our communities.”

For more information and to apply to become an SES member, visit the website.