Women show the way at rescue day

By Gabriel Garcia

Mar 21, 2024

The new Cobram SES Unit headquarters was a hive of activity as female SES members took part in Women in Rescue Day on Saturday, March 16.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

The day attracted volunteers including those from northern Victoria and southern NSW, including Shepparton Search and Rescue members as well as Cobram, Benalla, Yarrawonga and Seymour SES.

Other SES crews, police, and ambulance officers were also among the women who undertook several different exercises, each designed to sharpen their operational capabilities.

These included securing a wrecked car, extracting someone from a wrecked car, dealing with finger injuries and learning how to reverse a vehicle carrying critical equipment such as rescue boats.

Learning experience: The day allowed women in the SES to learn skills in an all-female environment. Photo by Gabriel Garcia

There were also female members of Victoria Ambulance, Victoria Police and Search and Rescue in attendance.

Hume WIR co-ordinator and Wodonga deputy unit controller Lisa Wise said the day was all about giving female members of the SES a chance to learn in a safe environment.

“The WIR event started about eight years ago with a lady who thought it would be a great idea to create an environment for women to share the rescue space together, to learn from one another and to feel confident in being part of a rescue team,” Ms Wise said.

New challenges: Pam Duff joined Yarrawonga SES to fill in time after semi-retiring and says she has no regrets. Photo by Gabriel Garcia

New Yarrawonga SES recruit Pam Duff was one of the women honing her skills.

She said she joined the SES after being at a loss for what to do after semi-retiring, and had no regrets about doing so.

“It’s great,” Ms Duff said.

“You’re a big family; you work together. Everyone’s heard, whether you are new or old, you’re listened to, and it’s a really good community to get into.”