Victoria Turns Orange for National SES Week
As part of National State Emergency Service Week (7-13 November), Deputy Premier and Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Peter Ryan is encouraging all Victorians to show their support for State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers who work tirelessly around the clock keeping the state safe.
"A number of Melbourne landmarks will be turning orange as a show of support for our 5,500 Victoria SES volunteers who have rescued us from floods, storms and landslips in what has been a tumultuous 12 months," Mr Ryan said.
"Parliament House, the Arts Centre Spire, Federation Square, AAMI Park and the Royal Exhibition Buildings will all turn orange in a symbolic act of appreciation for the commitment and sacrifice of Victoria's SES volunteers."
Many Victorians also paid tribute by wearing something orange to work this Wednesday 9 November.
"Victorians know the value of our volunteers in the community, particularly in the emergency services where thousands of people give up their time and energy to help those in need – often in dire situations," Mr Ryan said.
The theme for this year's National SES Week is 'Volunteering in all conditions', which is appropriate after some of the worst floods on record last year.
Last night in Victoria, SES responded to more than 1000 calls for help after one of the wildest storms to lash the state this year. SES rescuers came to the aid of Victorians in flash flooding, hail damage, people trapped in cars, homes without roofs and fallen trees.
Last year, Victoria SES volunteers provided more than 200,000 volunteer hours, including 13,000 flood-related and 23,000 storm-related calls for assistance, and 1,000 road crash rescues.
The State Government provided a funding of $38 million for Victoria SES in this year's state budget, which includes $9.3 million for a Valuing Volunteers Program.