What it's like to be a Volunteer?

Michael and Michelle Farrugia

Hero of the month!
Michael and Michelle Farrugia

Age: 46

Shellharbour City Unit

We both wanted to get out there and help the community in any way we could and agreed NSW SES is a great way to do this.

Our volunteers

Volunteering with the NSW State Emergency Service is an exciting and rewarding way to give back to your community. But don't take our word for it! Read some volunteer stories and decide for yourself. If you want to thank SES volunteers, the best day to get involved is on WOW day

  • Sharmin Hossain
    37
    Ku-ring-gai Unit
    Community Engagement Officer
    'I really appreciate how the NSW SES provides its members with the opportunity to gain skills and experience in a wide range of areas.'
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  • Shirley Heap
    29
    Armidale - Dumaresq Unit
    Volunteer and Trainer
    “It was in the SES I realised I enjoyed working in emergency service, so I decided to apply for NSW Ambulance and become a paramedic.”
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  • Paul Maher
    86
    Corindi Unit
    Corindi Unit Commander
    "The NSW SES can help you develop skills and use the ones you already have.”
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  • Elaine Mason
    64
    Port Macquarie Hastings Unit
    Volunteer
    'Quickly it developed in to a love of helping people when they are at their most vulnerable.'
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  • Vic Weller
    72
    Unit
    Hunter Capability Unit Commander
    “I’m very proud of what we do.”
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  • Chris Hovey
    40
    Bellingen Unit
    Team Leader
    'The NSW SES has given me the opportunity to help my local Community while giving me so much personally in return.'
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  • Kerry Ho
    28
    Auburn Unit
    Storm and Flood Damage Team Operator
    'The mateship, teamwork and work culture are all outstanding in my unit. People are definitely my favourite part of joining the SES.'
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  • Dennis Buck
    74
    Unit
    Namoi Capability Unit Commander & Gunnedah Unit Volunteer
    “I believe in the people of the NSW SES. Not just the Units to which I belong but the organisation as a whole.”
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  • Joe Bond
    79
    Gundagai Unit
    Gundagai Unit Trainer and Volunteer
    “There was no rescue unit in Gundagai in 1970, so members from the police, rural fire service, ambulance and community volunteers got together to form one.”
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  • John Dodd
    75
    Campbelltown Unit
    Planning Officer
    'I joined originally to help my neighbours.'
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  • Simone Burrows
    28
    Singleton Unit
    Community Engagements and Media Officer
    'One day I could be using a chainsaw, the next I'm helping organise a press conference. There really is a role for everyone!'
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  • Esther Giam
    52
    Shellharbour City Unit
    Community Engagement Officer
    'I only work 20 hours a week. This allows me to be flexible and use my spare time to give back to the community.'
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  • Geoffrey Kiehne
    64
    Gilgandra Unit
    Local Commander
    'I wanted to help build community resilience. Knowing I am making a difference is what it is all about.'
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  • Mathew Wallis
    50
    Auburn Unit
    Planning Officer
    'I feel immensely proud every time I don the orange uniform as I know that I’m helping others.'
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  • Zhanna Smolovich
    39
    Parramatta Unit
    Volunteer
    'That was probably the deciding factor for me - I can get involved as much as I want to, without sacrificing my other interests and having to take time off work.'
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  • Reba Skuthorpe
    31
    Goodooga Unit
    Volunteer
    'Go for it! It's okay to step outside of your comfort zone and try something new, for me this was one of the greatest choices I have made.'
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  • Teon West
    25
    Hornsby Unit
    Member
    "If you're thinking about it, do it! Don't waste time thinking about if you should join."
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  • Isaiah Gorman
    22
    Campbelltown Unit
    'Do it - it’s an amazing experience. I’ve met so many people, I’ve made new friends, new mentors and learnt so much. It’s also a brilliant way to further yourself as a human.'
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  • Michelle De Friskbom
    54
    Bega Unit
    Deputy Unit Controller
    "I am passionate about running realistic training exercises for our volunteer members, I love being part of an awesome team and family".
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  • Lyndsey Crammond
    46
    City of Sydney Unit
    Volunteering Team and Retention Specialist
    "I wanted to do something for my community and a friend recommended the NSW SES."
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  • Sandra Smail
    64
    Port Macquarie Hastings Unit
    Operations Officer
    "I have family in the SES and their feedback persuaded me to join the service."
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  • Katrina Frankish
    28
    Hornsby Unit
    Media Officer
    "I am the newly appointed Media Liaison Officer at the Hornsby Unit. My role includes maintaining the Hornsby SES Facebook, Instagram and Twitter page to keep the public up to date and informed."
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  • Andrew McDonough
    29
    Warringah - Pittwater Unit
    'You get out as much as you put in with the SES so just jump in and give it a go, there's a job for everyone in the SES and there are so many different avenues you can specialise into.'
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  • Taryn Rowe
    22
    Wingecarribee Unit
    “It is such an awesome experience, you get loads of cool training, meet heaps of really nice people and you get to give back to your community! What more could you want?!”
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  • Zakia Patel
    36
    Queanbeyan Unit
    I am currently the Deputy Local Controller of Operations in our unit
    "As soon as I walked in and saw the first display, I knew it was something I wanted to be part of. I signed up for an interview to be a new recruit. I've loved volunteering for NSW SES ever since."
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  • Steve Cliffe
    59
    Wollongong City Unit
    Local Controller and NSW SES Vertical Rescue Capability Development Group Chair
    "It's really rewarding to be able to help out people in need of our assistance."
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  • Paul Burg
    44
    Camden Haven Unit
    A/local controller of the Port Macquarie Hastings LGA
    'I enjoy teaching people, especially newer members skills that will allow them to help someone else or rescue someone in a critical situation and that's what it's all about.'
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  • Michelle C
    37
    Kogarah Unit
    Deputy Team Leader Media Liaison Officer
    'I have a background in graphic design and event management and it has been refreshing to bring those skills to the unit'
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  • Parryn Sellings-Bibby
    25
    Coffs Harbour City Unit
    Meet Parryn Sellings-Bibby a volunteer from the NSW SES Coffs Harbour Unit has been a member since 2016.
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  • Kaamilah Kim Barbara Davids
    65
    Campbelltown Unit
    Deputy Team Leader
    "I have been a member for almost 9 years and feel at home."
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  • Stacey Dengate
    35
    Unit
    Team Leader
    'NSW SES is one reason why I decided to pursue Nursing. I love helping and supporting people in the time of need.'
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  • Evelyn Lester
    69
    The Hills Unit
    Local Controller
    “There were houses with more than 300 holes from the hail. The community was devastated.”
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  • Linda Catalano
    31
    Warringah - Pittwater Unit
    Training Coordinator
    'Give it a go! Get your application in, go have a chat to your local unit volunteers and step out of your comfort zone! You won’t regret it! You’ll make amazing friends and you’ll learn a whole lot!'
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  • Jason Tien-Kin Li
    51
    Willoughby - Lane Cove Unit
    Unit Commander, Willoughby-Lane Cove Unit Previously Team Leader (Operations) Flood Rescue Level 1 Endorsed Community Educator and Media Officer
    "It is one of the best things that I do with my life, and you will be glad that you took the first step to sign up as an SES volunteer."
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  • Lyal Stanford
    23
    Parramatta Unit
    "I’m currently a student at the Kings school. I really came to love the NSW SES through the school cadet program, so I continued being a volunteer after the course finished."
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  • Curtis Kishere
    29
    Albury Unit
    Duty Officer
    "I joined the NSW SES to help people in my community and to learn new lifesaving skills."
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  • Tim Miller
    59
    Port Stephens Unit
    Road Crash Rescue Instructor
    'In my time as a member of the NSW SES, I’ve had the privilege to meet some of the most exceptional people with big hearts that have become an extended family - I wouldn’t change a thing that I have done in the last 38 years.'
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  • Kam Wheeler
    50

    Youth Engagement Coordinator
    You’d be surprised what you can bring to the Service and how you can gain new skills for your personal and professional life. It’ll be the best thing you’ve ever done.
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  • Debbie Burns
    63
    Campbelltown Unit
    Acting Deputy Unit Commander for Community Capabilities
    I bleed Orange! The journey I’ve had in the NSW SES has been challenging and amazing
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  • Elizabeth Jowanie
    29
    Multicultural Liaison Unit
    Multicultural Liaison Officer
    It takes a lot of courage to do things independently in a country where everything is unfamiliar to you.
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  • Elie Butoto
    28
    Multicultural Liaison Unit
    Multicultural Liaison Officer
    NSW SES is there to help. Kudos to NSW SES volunteers and to everyone involved.
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  • Julie Kelly
    61
    Bermagui Unit
    Volunteer
    Just do it. You will meet lots of interesting people and be part of a group that helps people when they need it the most.
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  • Kirsten Englert
    45
    Multicultural Liaison Unit
    Unit Commander
    I love doing what I do.
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  • Joshua Hunt
    30
    Wagga Wagga Unit
    Training Coordinator
    I have been with NSW SES since 2016. Since joining I have moved, changed work, and gotten married.
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  • Bethany Hunt
    31
    Wagga Wagga Unit
    I have learnt how to use a chainsaw to cut trees, and how to fell trees that are a danger of falling.
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  • Peter Lin
    28
    Liverpool Unit
    I joined NSW SES through my science tutor – he spoke about the service and what he did.... Now, more than five years on, I never looked back.
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  • Lisa Siladyi
    44
    The Hills Unit
    Media Liaison Officer/General member
    I joined because I have interests in disaster management and wanted to develop in this area.
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  • Michael Webb
    53
    Junee Unit
    Local Commander
    I was looking to meet new people and learn new skills and didn’t need to be asked twice – I haven’t looked back since.
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  • Tahlor Jansen
    26
    The Rock Unit
    I have always been fascinated with helping people, while also gaining extensive skills, experience and a second family.
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  • Caitlin Brown
    24
    Orange City Unit
    Deputy Team Leader
    I met someone through rugby who suggested the idea of volunteering with the SES. I pretty much signed up straight away and have never looked back since – I’m grateful I did it.
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  • John Mills
    66
    Bermagui Unit
    Operator
    John wants to be with like-minded people who want to help others and more importantly, though, was to be a part of the team to deliver support and service to our community.
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  • Keith Fraser
    43
    The Rock Unit
    Rescue Officer and Training Officer
    Keith has specialised in several areas, which include Vertical Rescue, Road Crash Rescue, Large Animal Rescue, Storm and Water Damage Operator and has over 15 years of training and assessing members.
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  • Tony McPhail
    59
    The Rock Unit
    Unit Commander
    Tony decided to join the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) after witnessing emergency workers when his brother was involved in a bus crash.
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  • Ray Merz
    51
    Shellharbour City Unit
    Deputy Unit Commander
    I am really very passionate about training.
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  • Pamela White
    71
    Shellharbour City Unit
    Deputy Team Leader - Operations
    I joined NSW SES because I wanted to help the community and felt I had some skills and knowledge that would benefit fellow volunteers.
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  • Daniel Tabor
    39
    Shellharbour City Unit
    Operator
    I have a passion to help others in need.
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  • Michael and Michelle Farrugia
    46
    Shellharbour City Unit
    Michael: Team Leader - Boats and water equipment Michelle: Deputy Team Leader - Vehicle Resources
    We both wanted to get out there and help the community in any way we could and agreed NSW SES is a great way to do this.
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  • Tim Lashbrook
    48
    Shellharbour City Unit
    Senior Operator
    NSW SES provides me an outlet where I can forget the stresses of my day job and enjoy the sense of satisfaction that comes with volunteering and helping others.
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  • Eileen Ryan
    82
    Liverpool Unit
    Field Team Member
    I was 76 years old when I joined and my advice to anyone considering joining is, Don't Hesitate! It is a wonderful environment and age is no barrier.
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  • William Chi
    24
    Parramatta Unit
    Volunteer
    'Great things never come from comfort zones'
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  • Owen Pacewicz
    38
    Wollongong City Unit
    Volunteering with SES
    My name is Owen Pacewicz and I am a volunteer with the Wollongong City NSW SES Unit.
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  • Katie Moulton
    39
    Parramatta Unit
    Community Engagement Coordinator & Media Officer
    I volunteered for 4 years at the Parramatta unit. I enjoyed my time at the NSW SES so much that I have pursued a career with NSW SES in the Sydney Western Region office as the Community Engagement Coordinator.
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  • Daniel Mowbray
    37

    Communication Officer, State Headquarters
    I have been a part of the NSW SES for about 10 years.
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  • Tom Nicholls
    30
    Shellharbour City Unit
    Operations and Community Engagement Coordinator
    "Joined SES at Shellharbour City Unit in 2013 when I was 18 and haven't looked back since!"
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