Rob Tillman and his wife Georgina love helping people as Emerald SES volunteers.
By Tania Martin
FOR Rob Tillman, helping his community is just second nature.
However, this Emerald State Emergency Service (SES) volunteer has now been recognised for his selfless contributions.
Mr Tillman was one of 100 volunteers who were awarded the National Service Medal at an awards ceremony last month.
The National Service Medal recognises 15 years of outstanding service to the SES. Minister for Emergency Services Bob Cameron and Vic SES chief Mary Barry presented the awards.
Ms Barry said the medal was great way to recognise volunteers who gave their time and kept their local communities safe.
“We are fortunate to have volunteers with the dedication and skills to respond to all hinds of emergencies at all hours,” she said.
Mr Tillman said working as an SES volunteer was a great way to be involved in his community.
“I have enjoyed a good life and it is good to give something back,” he said.
Mr Tillman said he first became involved with the SES because his daughter, Alex, was a member at Emerald.
“We came up to help out with a storm operation and joined up and have been here ever since,” he said.
Mr Tillman’s wife Georgina also joined the unit nine years ago, making it a family affair.
“At one stage they were calling us ‘Team Tillman’,” he said.
Since joining the unit, Mr Tillman has been involved in several emergency operations such as car crashes, floods and providing assistance with storm damage.
Mr Tillman said he would continue working as a volunteer as long as he could.
He said the emergencies the Emerald unit visited were primarily car crashes.
Mr Tillman has urged people to slow down and be aware of how easy it is for motorists to become part of the statistics.
He said the Emerald SES unit was also looking for more volunteers and anyone thinking of joining could call 1300 842 737.
