NSW SES Kogarah Unit

Kogarah SES members are rolling up their sleeves for the Australian Red Cross Emergency Services Blood Drive🩸

Our team has proudly taken part in donating blood to help support Australians in need, with donations counting toward the nationwide Emergency Services tally from May through to July.

A huge thank you to Australian Red Cross for welcoming the Kogarah Unit and supporting this important initiative. We’re proud to do our part both in and out of uniform.

If you can, consider becoming a donor during National Blood Donor Week this June ❤️

NationalBloodDonorWeek

🧡 WOW Day — Wear Orange Wednesday 🧡

Today, the NSW SES Volunteers Association proudly joins communities across Australia in saying a huge THANK YOU to the incredible NSW SES volunteers and members who wear orange and give their time, skills and heart to help others. 🧡👏🚨

WOW Day is a special reminder to recognise those who respond during storms, floods, rescues, emergencies and times of need — often leaving their own families, homes and work to support their communities. 🌧️🌊⛑️🏠

For nearly thirty years, the NSWSESVA has stood beside SES members through the proud moments and the difficult ones. Much of this support happens quietly behind the scenes through welfare, grants, scholarships, advocacy, family support, recognition and direct assistance. 🤝🧡💙

We are proud to do this work because the NSWSESVA is made up of SES volunteers too. We understand the commitment, challenges, friendships and pride that come with wearing orange. 🧡👷‍♀️👷‍♂️🚨

The NSWSESVA is also proud to be part of the National SES Volunteers Association, supporting and advocating for SES volunteers nationally for recognition such as this. 🇦🇺🧡🤝

On WOW Day, we celebrate every SES volunteer across NSW and Australia. Thank you for what you do, what you give, and for being there when your community needs you most. 🧡👏🌟

𝐍𝐒𝐖 𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 - 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 — 𝐢𝐧 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬, 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞.🧡🤝

Wear Orange Wednesday almost here. Wear some orange or decorate your workplace in orange to thank the SES Volunteers or just leave a message for them 😀

Wednesday May 20th is WOW Day (Wear Orange Wednesday) which is the chance to celebrate the great work of all SES Volunteers and what they do for their communities.

Prior to this years WOW Day the Members of the NSW Parliament held a tea to thank the SES in person at Parliament House. Members from Kogarah Unit joined other Unit Members as well as the SES Commissioner & Deputy Commissioner.

WOW Day is the day to dress in Orange or decorate your house or workplace in Orange to thank the Volunteers of the SES for the time they give to the community and the time away from family and friends.

However you don't have to wait for Wednesday, if you see someone in SES uniform you can always give them a wave or a nod of thanks for what they do for others.

From our Family to Yours...

A huge congratulations to our incredible volunteers recognised at this year’s awards presentation 👏🧡
We are proud to celebrate the dedication, commitment and service of our members who continue to support the community through storms, floods and emergencies.

🏅 Unit Citation
Brendan
🏅 15 Year National Medal
Ashleigh
🏅 10 Year Long Service Medal
Michelle, John & Catherine
🏅 NSW Premier’s Flood Citation
Pierre, Steven, Brendan, Danny, Michelle, Ashleigh, Amy, George, Andrew & John
Also recognised but unable to attend:
Alan, Josh, Wayne, Thomas, Benjamin, Lina & John

Thank you all for your ongoing dedication and service to the community.
Your commitment does not go unnoticed 🧡

Our thoughts and respects to those brave Volunteers who were injured and lost their lives in the service of their community, to their loved ones and the Ballina Community as a whole we stand with you at this difficult time.

Last night was the darkest night ever experienced by Marine Rescue NSW.

Marine Rescue NSW volunteers answer the call for help 24/7 and last night six members from Marine Rescue Ballina did just that. They launched with a single mission, to save lives on the water and assist a yacht, reported to be in difficulty off the South Ballina break wall.

Tragically, two of our volunteers lost their lives during the response.

Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Todd Andrews said the devastating loss is a solemn reminder of the risks faced by volunteers who serve their communities.

“These two men were serving their local community and have made the ultimate sacrifice to help others.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of the deceased, their fellow crew members, the brave radio operators who handled the difficult communications during the incident, the entire Marine Rescue NSW family and the wider Ballina community during this incredibly difficult time.

“We are supporting our volunteers and their families through professional counselling and chaplaincy support.

“We ask that the privacy of those involved and their families be respected during this difficult time,” Commissioner Andrews said.

While many were attending ANZAC Day services, our Kogarah SES volunteers were on the ground giving their time to support the community.
During the day, crews responded to a tree down blocking a local road, working quickly and safely to clear access and keep the public moving.

Thank you to our dedicated volunteers who continue to serve the community when it matters most.

Please remember:
• Never drive through hazard zones
• Keep clear of fallen trees and powerlines
• Follow directions from emergency services

CommunityFirst

Day in the life of a Volunteer.

In the morning Kogarah Unit Members joined other Metro Unit Members to assist the NSW RSL with the Sydney ANZAC Day march. As the RSL Chief Marshal said 'we could not do this without the assistance from SES'.

In the afternoon some of the same Members as at the march helped our local community when a tree fell across and blocked the road stopping access for residents and local business. Our Members arrived to cut up and remove the blockage whilst maintaining traffic control.

All this on a long weekend. Thank you to our Members for making themselves available and giving up some time with family & friends.