Jodie Belyea (Dunkley, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Last Monday, I visited the Frankston SES unit. I met with the current and past controllers and 60 volunteers. I thanked the volunteers for their exceptional dedication and work ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the community. These SES volunteers give up hours of their time to provide this vital service and keep our community safe. I announced the $5,000 federal volunteer grant they received to undertake a much-needed refurbishment to their recreation and wellbeing area.

On my visit, I was able to observe a training session. Training is held on a Monday evening to ensure volunteers are prepared to deal with myriad emergency scenarios in our community. I also had the opportunity to try out the jaws of life.

The Frankston SES unit has been operating for decades. I want to give a shout out to Brian McMannis, who has volunteered at SES Frankston for 45 years, and to the new controller, the first woman to hold this role in Frankston. I put out a call to residents and those further afield in the community to consider how they can put their energy into volunteering in their communities in emergency services.