I recently spent some time out in the Goldfields of Western Australia with the State Emergency Service (& my ever present camera).
Once per year, during the Labour Day (WA Day) long weekend, the WA SES hold the Goldfields SES Challenge at a different location within the region. Â This year was their 10th annual challenge & was held at Boondi Rock, just outside Coolgardie. Â Eleven teams from different WA SES units travelled from Kalgoorlie, Perth Metro, & even as far away as Manjimup for the event, & created a tent & caravan city filled with more than 150 people all wearing orange. Â The Goldfields SES Challenge gives them a chance to have fun while practicing their skills & competing against other units.
Assessment stands included Search & Stretcher, Nagivation (Urban & Rural), Chainsaw & Roof Safety Systems, Storm Damage, Road Crash Rescue, & Communications.
They made me feel welcome, as though I was one of their own, & it made the task of following them around for 3 days a lot more fun. Â Not that I don’t enjoy camping (far from it), but it was certainly a difficult time on my back. Â Their campfire camaraderie was second to none!! Â And the friendly saboutage that occured throughout the campsite on the Sunday night was hilarious!
Congratulations to Baysenerries (of Bayswater SES), TRK+1 (of Rockingham/Kwinana SES), & the Prospectors (of Kalgoorlie SES) for coming first, second & third respectively at this year’s event!
The State Emergency Service is made up almost entirely of volunteers. Â It’s hard to believe when you consider what they put themselves through. Â They tirelessly attend storm damage, missing persons searches, & assist Fire & Rescue Services at large fires & certain road crash incidents, as well as a host of other things. Â Next time you see a sea of orange climbing over a broken roof in a storm in the dark, be awed. Â These hardworking men & women are on call 24/7, & 3am phone calls will see them up & out of bed, dressed & on site because they are dedicated – not paid.
Not only did they make me feel welcome, they dressed me in a challenge tshirt & gave me a certificate!
“Certificate of Appreciation presented to Gillian Berry, Challenge Photographer.”
Talk about making this little dragon feel special! =)