The Emerald SES Auxiliary Unit received a much-needed boost in both finances and morale, thanks to unit member Jim Paxton’s mother.
After many chats with her son Jim, Mrs Mary Paxton decided she would like to offer a donation to pay for cooking equipment required by the newly formed auxiliary.
The group has been set up to primarily cater for SES members who are involved in extended storm or rescue operations, with the heart-warming aim of providing them with much-needed sustenance.
The group also gets involved in promotional activities such as Funfest, Run with Thomas and the recent Puffing Billy Great Train Race.
Among the items provided by the generous donation are two microwave ovens, an electric frypan, pots, knives, and much more. The Narre Warren Good Guys store has also received plaudits for providing the hard-bargaining Jim a better-than-usual discount.
Acting Controller Ben Owen has praised the impact provided by Mrs Paxton’s donation.
“It’s increased our capabilities to provide healthy option meals for the volunteers. I think Mary contributes greatly to the community and she has definitely helped increase our abilities to respond to state emergency situations,” he said.
This is not that first time that Mary Paxton has put her kind heart to use. Two years ago, the Emerald SES also benefited from funds donated from Paxton to provide for a pole saw storage box which subsequently enabled the unit to carry equipment on the roof rack of their 4WD vehicle.
But Paxton’s generosity does not stop there; last year Mary donated a high pressure washer to keep the fleet of vehicles clean.
The Emerald SES encompasses a far greater area than just Emerald. The unit frontier spreads from Upper Ferntree Gully, to Olinda, across to Monbulk, Belgrave South across to Upper Beaconsfield and to the back of Gembrook and beyond into Bunyip Forest.
The unit is currently on the lookout for new members from all its operational areas, anyone interested is welcome to attend a presentation evening where they can meet present members to see what being in “Orange” is all about.
For further details, contact Acting Controller Ben Owen on 0439 809 045.
