HAVE you ever considered what it would be like to join the Ararat unit of the SES?
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In the process getting the opportunity to meet new people and learn new skills.
Just ask Josh Gray, who joined the Ararat unit of the SES in 2011 when he was just 21-years-old.
Mr Gray has since been awarded the units ‘Recruit of the Year’ Award in 2012.
Mr Gray has always enjoyed helping out in the community but was looking for a way to be able to do more, meet new people and to learn new skills.
He is an operational member of the unit and has trained and participated in storm and flood responses, search and rescue incidents and road crash rescues during his time with SES.
Mr Gray said the aspects he enjoys and likes the most about being an SES Volunteer is the feeling of accomplishing something positive when the unit assists at incidents and the feeling of working in a highly committed and professional team.
"Being a volunteer with the Ararat VICSES Unit is a challenging but very fulfilling role," he said.
"As a VICSES member I have learnt many new skills that I have been able to use in other parts of my life outside SES including at work and in everyday life.”
Having just successfully completed the selection process to join Victoria Police, Mr Gray is now waiting to be called up to the Police Academy.
"The experience I have gained through my membership with SES is helping with my career aspirations,” he said.
"I'm looking forward to gaining more experience and skills in the future, as SES will continue to provide me with nationally accredited training to develop and build my experience and leadership capability.
"Our unit has a great group of members, but we are always looking for new members to join and help out in both operational and operational support roles.
"I would encourage anyone who is interested in helping their community in this way to come and talk to members of our unit at our recruitment information night to find out more about being a VICSES volunteer."
Volunteers can become an operational member or operational support member.
The information night will be held on Tuesday, October 20 at the Ararat VICSES Unit Headquarters located at 85-87 High Street Ararat, commencing at 7pm.
If you would like to learn more about becoming an SES volunteer, contact Ararat unit Controller Donna Dunmore on 0448 053 886.
