Moreton Bay’s orange angels take out top honours
Published 07 September 2022
Moreton Bay’s State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers and units are officially the best in the business, after they were recognised for their contribution during recent floods at last week’s SES Regional Awards.
Mayor Peter Flannery said the awards, which kicked off SES week (3 - 11 September), celebrated the achievements of those who’ve gone above and beyond in times of crisis.
“With the February flood event still fresh in our minds and new reports from the Bureau of Meteorology of another wet Spring and Summer ahead, it’s never been more important to cheer on our orange angels,” Mayor Flannery said.
“This year, Moreton Bay volunteers were recognised across a range of award categories in the SES Regional Awards as part of the SES Week celebrations in Queensland.
“We’ve taken home the Operational Response of the Year, alongside our colleagues from the Brisbane and Redlands SES units, for dedicated service to the Brisbane Region community during the February 2022 Severe Weather and Flood event.
“Julie Crocker from the Caboolture Group was recognised as Regional Trainer of the Year for her excellent work preparing, training and upskilling SES members.
“These two awards have propelled Moreton Bay into the State Awards Ceremony, held on Saturday 10 September, where we’re nominated for the SES Assistant Commissioners Shield and State Trainer of the Year.
“I’m also proud to announce we’ve had several more local members win awards for various achievements and years of service including a member who received a National Media for volunteering for 15 years.
“This recognition is well-deserved for the incredible work our volunteers in the Moreton Bay SES Unit do every day.
“I saw firsthand just some of the work these amazing volunteers do during the recent floods and I’m in awe of their selflessness and dedication to serve the community in its darkest times.
“From extensive training to disaster response and helping the community get back on its feet after an event, the SES are there every step of the way.
“It takes a special kind of person to become an SES member and SES week provides us with the opportunity to thank our volunteers and recognise the impact they have on keeping our community safe.”
SES members are highly skilled, unpaid volunteers who undertake regular ongoing training to help vulnerable members of the community during or after emergencies.
For more information or to become involved in the SES, visit https://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/Services/Disaster-Management/SES
SES Week Regional Awards
Regional Operational Response of the Year - Moreton Bay Unit, Brisbane Unit, and Redlands Unit
Regional Trainer of the Year - Julie Crocker
SES Week Award nominations and acknowledgements
Ian Moxham - Bribie Island Group
Bek Tidyman - Moreton Bay Unit
Benay Patterson - Meritorious Service Medal
Others wished not to be named