Tambar Springs SES celebrates 40 years service to community

Tambar Springs SES has commemorated 40 years of continuous service to the districts of Tambar Springs, Premer and Mullaley.

The remarkable achievement for the small group of men and women (more than half who are aged over 70 years) that are the Tambar Springs SES unit. They celebrated the efforts of ‘everyday heroes’ doing extraordinary tasks.

Events started with an open day held at the Tambar Springs SES headquarters, displaying the vehicles, photos from the past, activities for kids, some old photos from the past and a sausage sizzle.

The weekend was also a chance for past members to catch up with new ones, share stories and compare new equipment to old.

Past members travelled from far afield. Ian Skewes, the former Tambar Springs police officer who started the ball rolling for the reformation, travelled from Darwin. Duncan Walker and wife Prue, travelled down from Lennox Head. Duncan was instrumental for the reformation and the first unit controller of the unit. Prue was also a member.

Dave Chove and his daughter travelled up from Melbourne. Kelvin Wise (former deputy unit commander) and wife Venita came across from Dubbo.Saturday evening was a presentation dinner and celebration for members past, present and invited guests.

The event MC was Paul Perusic, deputy zone commander from North West Zone with deputy unit commander Robyn Styles as task master.

Unit commander John Ceissman welcomed guests.

Special guest, deputy commissioner Deb Platz from state headquarters delivered an informative address to those assembled which was followed by former Tambar Springs police officer Ian Skewes and former unit commander Duncan Walker sharing how the unit was reformed.

Following a wonderful dinner, the awards were presented by deputy commissioner Deb Platz.

Former unit Controller Phillip Whillock was presented with his 35 year National Service Medal and clasp two also to his 35-year long service award.

Current unit commander, John Ceissman, received his 30-year long service award.

Wayne Baldwin received his 15-year National Service Medal and 15-year long service award.

The cake was then cut by the three leaders from the unit’s reformation, John Ceissman, Duncan Walker and Phillip Whillock. The cake was designed by Robyn Styles, baked and decorated by Georgie Rippin of Tamworth.

Deputy unit commander Robyn Styles was presented with the ‘Women in SES Volunteer Outstanding Service Award’ which was for International Women’s day. The award ceremony held a state headquarters in Wollongong for which was delayed until May 2 due to Cyclone Alfred. However, she was unable to attend due to Robyn’s commitments to organising the unit’s celebrations.

Robyn was awarded the outstanding service award for her work and leadership as deputy unit commander, training coordinator, membership officer, community engagement officer and community first responder for the unit and her community, the development of unique informative community events, support and mentoring of her peers.

She was also awarded the ‘everyday superhero cape’ on the night, recognising her extraordinary efforts.

Robyn hopes to share the workload and skills with others in the near future.

It would not have been an SES function without some challenges. Guests were given three tasks to complete on the night. The first was the acronym decipher challenge “because we all know how much SES likes acronyms”, Robyn said.

The second was the knot tying challenge and finally teams had to reassemble the hero car and prove its roadworthiness.

On Sunday, guests enjoyed a casual brunch with members past and present catching up again for some story swapping, sharing contacts and the promise to not leave it for another 40 years to catch up.

The display board showing old newspaper stories and photographs.

Gests attempting the hero car rebuild.

Robyn Styles receiving her award from the deputy commissioner.

Wayne Baldwin receiving his National Medal.

Brunch at SES HQ.

Cake cutting, Phillip Whillock, John Ceissman and Duncan Walker.

The SES-themed 40th anniversary cake.

Current Tambar SES leadership team unit commander, John Ceissman and deputy unit commander Robyn Styles with deputy commissioner Deb Platz from state headquarters