Some members of the Harden SES unit.
Next Wednesday is Wear Orange Wednesday or ‘WOW Day’ and on this day NSW SES is encouraging communities across Australia to wear orange and thank all SES volunteers for their time and efforts to help communities during flood and storm emergencies to name a few.
This year at The Times we are profiling all the members at the Harden SES unit so the public can get to know them better.
The Harden SES unit currently has a membership of 10 and the youngest member is only 16 years of age.
Membership numbers were not always this strong either and in 2020 the crew had a busy year.
The year began busy with the Harden unit supporting their Rural Fire Services mates in the Jinden and Araluen area.
Harden SES unit helping out the RFS in the Jinden area on January 13, 2020. Photo: Harden SES.
Then a global pandemic worsened and slowed many things down.
Since ramping up in training and getting back out again, the Hilltops Cluster formed at the start of 2019 combining the Harden, Yass and Young SES units, regrouped and conducted a Job Ready and Fit For Task for new members in July 2020.
A month later filled with plenty of torrential rain in the area and the Harden SES and Yass SES unit worked together in Yass with flood work.
Harden SES and Yass SES units working together in Yass on August 8, 2020. Photo: Harden SES.
Flood rescue work in August 2020. Photo: Yass SES.
A highlight in 2020 was the welcoming of Harden’s first ever female Deputy Commander in Centaine Walters.
Twin Town Times front page for September 3, 2020. Photo: Twin Town Times.
As the storm season began in October, the Harden SES unit were busy again with a number of jobs with the emphasis on “Remember if it is flooded, forget it”.
Harden and Yass SES unit out on a storm Jon the morning of October 31, 2020. Photo: Harden SES.
Members from Yass, Harden, Young and Bungendore doing chainsaw training and assessment, which all passed. Photo: Harden SES.
At the end of 2020 the unit welcomed another new member, Tyson Cooke who showed great enthusiasm with getting on board. Tyson is a real asset to the unit today.
Earlier this year in February at the Yass Soldier’s Club, the late former Harden SES unit Head Controller Les Cameron was recognised of his 45 years of long service (with a national medal) and this was presented by Harden SES Commander Garry Buckley and accepted by his wife Sue Cameron and daughter Beth Allen.
Beth Allen, Sue Cameron and Harden Commander Garry Buckley. Photo: Supplied.
Also that month, the unit announced the first animal mascot (dog) for SES and the unit and it was later named Sessy.
Most recently the Harden SES unit enjoyed organising Harden’s first ever Emergency Services Day which was held at the Showgrounds, and was joined by SES Deputy Commissioner Daniel Austin, Sessy and Elvis Presley (Garry Buckley).
SOME OF THE MEMBERS
Thomas Hogg (Member)
How long have you been at the unit?
I have been with the unit for almost a month. I joined the SES to help the community prepare for times of disaster as well as helping the community through disaster. I felt that the skills I have gained before joining SES could also be used during the work that SES performs within the community.
What has been your biggest highlight so far?
The biggest highlight volunteering for Harden SES is the good camaraderie between members. As a new member, I have found that other members are very supportive and inclusive from when I first started looking at joining SES.
Favourite memory
My favourite memory so far was watching my sons face light up when he got to get into the flood boat at the Emergency Services Expo recently in Harden.
Tyson Cooke (Member)
How long have you been at the unit
I have been in the unit since January this year and I joined the unit as I wanted to do something fun and as well that my mum used to be a SES member.
What has been your biggest highlight so far?
Being a part of the community and getting to do fun stuff.
Favourite memory
The Emergency Services Open Day at the Showgrounds.
Peter Stone (Acting Deputy Commander)
How long have you been at the unit?
I have been part of the SES for one-and-a-half years and with the Harden unit for six months. I joined to help community in moments of need.
What has been your biggest highlight so far?
My biggest highlight was assisting in the search of a missing person, who was later found.
Favourite memory
My favourite memory would definitely be the Emergency Services Day in Harden, especially waving at the kids watching on as we drove through in our convoy.
Tracey Stone (Member)
How long have you been at the unit?
I have been part of the SES for one-and-a-half years and with the Harden unit for six months.
What has been your biggest highlight so far?
Getting to meet and work alongside other Emergency Services within our community and to see how it all works and come together.
Favourite memory
How thankful people are when we have attended to them or their loved ones. This could have been from a fallen tree on their house to flooding or missing person act.
Centaine Walters (Deputy Unit Commander)
How long have you been at the unit?
I’ve been with the unit for a year now and I joined initially to get to know people in town and help the community. I also never outgrew playing in the rain.
What has been your biggest highlight so far?
Becoming Deputy Commander at the unit. I have learnt so much already from my Commander, mentors and staff from other agencies. What I love is that it is such a diverse and exciting role. No two days are the same.
Favourite memory
Of course it would have to be the Emergency Services Open Day. That will always be a favourite memory! But also my first ever RFA, it was a water inundation job in Yass, I will always remember the excitement of it.
How long have you been at the unit?
I have been with the Harden unit for three-and-a-half years now. I joined because I wanted to help the community.
What has been your biggest highlight so far?
Working with the great people we have in the Harden SES unit as well as the Hilltops Cluster.
Favourite memory
Boorowa floods last August working with the Harden team and working together as a cluster being in the water helping the sheep.
The other members at the unit include, Patrick McMahon, Ken Pearsall, Erika Buckley and Jamie Buckley.
Ken has been involved with the SES for 43 years now and a majority of that is spent at the Harden unit.
Article put together by Christopher Tan
