By Taylah Eastwell
Residents of the Hills will don their best and brightest orange this week in a nod to the state’s SES heroes.
Wear Orange Wednesday, also known as WOW Day, is an annual event that turns the town orange to thank SES volunteers who generously give their time to help our communities during unimaginable emergencies.
Emerald SES Unit Controller, Ben Owen is encouraging the community to join in on the fun this Wednesday 19 May.
“It’s an opportunity for our members to be thanked by the community,” he said.
And Emerald SES volunteers are more than deserving of the gratitude, currently ranked the second busiest VICSES unit in the state.
The selfless volunteers attended over 1,283 requests for assistance in the last 12 months, which included rescuing people “stuck in their houses” and allowing them to reunite with their loved ones after storms lashed the Hills in August last year resulting in a number of tree falls.
“You see some carnage, but you pray people can walk away. You feel absolute gratitude and so proud when you can help someone in their time of need,” Mr Owen said.
Seeing people donning their quirkiest orange hits at the heartstrings for SES members, with the day providing an opportunity for the “quiet ones” to be recognised.
“It is our opportunity to be thanked. Other first responders have their days, we are the quiet ones that don’t get the recognition as much as the other organisations and it’s a nice small gesture of thanks to me and the other volunteers who give up their time to train and respond in times of need,” he said.
Mr Owen said in the past members have seen people showing their gratitude on social media, and always appreciate their family and friends wearing orange to show their support.
With a new unit base currently under construction, Emerald SES are looking for new volunteers to come and rock the orange suits and help the community in its hour of need.
“It’s a great opportunity for young people to skill-up, there are lots of courses that, leading into the future, are good things for young people to have under their belt, such as first aid, chainsaw qualifications, four-wheel-drive qualifications, things you can use in everyday life that aren’t just governed by your time with the SES,” he said.
Anyone interested in volunteering can express their interest at: https://www.ses.vic.gov.au/web/www/volunteer/become-a-volunteer.
Share your video or photos from Wear Orange Wednesday by using the hashtag #thankyouSES.
