This year SES will mark its 50th year of operation in Queensland with celebrations of the milestone occurring in November.
To mark the occasion Noosa SES will stage a celebratory week beginning on 24 November with a special function at its Tewantin SES facility for all members and special guests including Noosa MP Sandy Bolton, Noosa Mayor Frank Wilkie and Councillors, high ranking QPS, QAS, and Fire & Rescue officials, plus other supportive Noosa community members.
Having generously been offered space in Noosa Civic centre from 25-29 November SES will present a display which includes its 66 year old Willy’s Jeep.
The 1959 Willys Jeep holds a proud place in Noosa’s history – not just as a classic vehicle but as a true workhorse of the region’s emergency services. Originally built as a fire truck the Willys was acquired by the SES in the early 1980s and become their first vehicle.
Over the years it was modified with an impressive array of rescue equipment including the Jaws of Live, ladders, stretchers, ropes, pulleys, generators and winches for frontline emergency work, and was often called out to road accidents.
Noosa SES local controller Warren Kuskopf said the organisation was proud of its 100-member strong, dedicated, experienced, and committed team.
“We have some of the most capable members in Queensland and are on call for Disaster or Emergency assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the Noosa Community and beyond,” he said.
“As most are aware, SES is there to assist with storm and flood emergencies. We also spend considerable hours each year assisting QPS, both here in Noosa and across the State, with missing person land search, and traffic control both with road crash and community events.
“We are very much grateful for all the support and contributions that our community shows us, as well the very impressive equipment that is provided to us by QPS and Noosa Council and the service clubs such as Rotary and Lions.
“In this past year we have been involved in over 500 calls for assistance and in the beginning of the year, oversaw 40,000 filled sandbags being provided to the Noosa-wide community.”
Noosa SES is highly thankful for the diverse make up of our membership, the youngest member being 16 years to the oldest being in their late Eighties. The average age being in the 40s and also includes a balance of female and male, transgender and nonbinary.
