Les Cameron, Southern Highlands Region Controller Colin Malone, Clyde Smith, Harden Mayor John Horton, Local Controller Harden SES Unit Ros Bickford, Deputy Commissioner of NSW SES Greg Newton. Lyn Blundell, Ken Pearsall, Member for Cootamundra Katrina Hodgkinson, Brian Farnsworth, Pat Blundell, Rebecca Sheaf, David Gibson, Harden Shire General Manager Trevor Drowley, Controller Yass Valley Shire John Hedges.
Deputy Commissoner Greg Newton, Member for Hume Katrina Hodgkinson, Local Controller Harden SES Unit Ros Bickford with Harden Shire Mayor John Horton.
Below: Some of Harden Murrumburrah’s best. Deputy Commissoner Greg Newton and Member for Cootamundra Katrina Hodgkinson with Harden SES unit Ros Bickford and Ken Pearsall, David Gibson, Lila Irving, Pat Blundell, Dorothy Farnsworth, Clyde Smith and Brian Farnsworth
Providing assistance to the Harden community during storms, fires and floods just got easier for the members of the Harden State Emergency Service thanks to the finalisation of the unit’s long-awaited building extension. On hand for the landmark occasion were: Southern Highlands Deputy Region Controller Joanne Humphries, Southern Highlands Region Controller Colin Malone, Local deputy Controller Yass Valley Shire John Hedges and Deputy Commissioner of NSW SES Greg Newton. Unfortunately David Elliott, Minister for Corrective Services, Emergency Services and Veterans Affairs was unable to attend as he had been recently admitted to hospital with an illness. Colin said he recognised many members of the Harden SES Unit who had assisted other units across the state. Greg said that he was familiar with the area having grown up in the SES unit in Queanbeyan. “It great to be here today and recognise 155 years of combined service to the SES in Harden. All the missed dinners with families, the phone calls from afar and the employers who allow our SES members to assist their community is why we are here today.”
Member for Cootamundra was glowing when asked of the work the SES do in their community and across the state. “The SES is such a crucial part of the community, from Driver Reviver, which assists in getting people home safely, to the assistance provided with hail storms, fallen trees or attending accidents.” The building extension was funded by a NSW SES Unit Facilities allocation of $110,000, with the works project managed by Harden Shire Council and was officially opened by the Member for Cootamundra Katrina Hodgkinson today. Katrina joined NSW SES Deputy Commissioner Greg Newton to also present 12 long service medals to hardworking and dedicated members of the Harden unit. Ken Pearsall joined the SES in December 1977. David Gibson on february 1988. Lila Irving in 1990, Pat Blundell in February 2000. Dorothy Farnsworth celebrated 10 years along with Brian Farnsworth who was also recognised for the work he did in the ACT fires over the years. Clyde Smith received a medal for 5 years service. Katrina said, “The new extension would not have been possible if it weren’t for the hard work of many people including NSW SES State and Region Headquarters, Harden Shire Council, members of the Harden Unit and of course, Deputy Local Controller Peter Blundell. He put blood, sweat and tears into this proposal and he is to be commended,”
Katrina said she was proud of the contribution made by the local SES members, the Harden community and Harden Shire Council, and congratulated them on their vision and foresight, hard work and many hours of volunteer labour. “With this new extension the Harden SES Unit now has the space required to meet, train and manage NSW SES operational activities and ensure that NSW SES members are well accommodated to support the community they serve,” Katrina said.Deputy Commissioner Newton congratulated members of the Harden Unit, who celebrated some important milestones. “We recognise well over a 100 years of diligent service here today. These awards reflect the years committed to helping others and developing Harden Unit as a strong and reliable foundation of the local community,” Deputy Commissioner Newton said. “It is my pleasure to be able to acknowledge the hard work and commitment of these dedicated volunteers and celebrate their achievements.”
‘Storm Season’, a TV program showcasing the SES’s work, will air on Channel 10 at 4:30 pm Saturday.
