NEW SKILLS: Orange SES unit’s Patrice Watson and Amanda Aitkin are encouraging anyone wanting to learn great new skills and face challenges to volunteer for the SES this Sunday. Photo: JUDE KEOGH
WANT to learn life skills while providing vital assistance to your community?
The Orange State Emergency Service (SES) Unit can provide this and much more if you are interested in becoming a volunteer.
Orange SES Unit media liaison officer Amanda Aitken says Sunday’s open day is the perfect time to volunteer.
“Where else can you learn skills like how to operate a chainsaw, general rescue skills, traffic control and more?” she said.
“Plus you can get the opportunity to not only help your local community, but also areas that suffer from natural disaster.
“I’ve just come back from helping Gosford during their floods. Volunteering with the SES is certainly rewarding.”
Not only is it rewarding - the SES provides a crucial service to the Orange community.
“SES volunteers really are essential. Without us who would help with fallen trees and storms and other things?” she said.
“I’m sure that every person will rely on help from the SES at some stage in their life.”
Ms Aitken said this Sunday’s open day was about drumming up more support for the Orange SES Unit and she encouraged everyone considering volunteering, to come along.
“We don’t really have a set number of volunteers that we want to attract, but the more we can get the better,” she said.
“We accept volunteers of all ages (over 16) and all race. Whatever your interests I’m sure we’d love to hear from you.”
Sunday’s open day begins at 10a, and runs through until 2pm.
“We’ll have a variety of activities that will show what the SES does and we’ll also give a tour of the unit and basic information for any new volunteers,” Ms Aitken said.
To take part in the open day visit SES headquarters, on the corner of McLachlan and Margaret streets, or phone 6392 8862 for information.
