By NICOLE VALICEK
THEY wear an unmistakable orange uniform and chances are you will require their emergency assistance more than once in a life time.
On Saturday 9 November the Altona State Emergency Service (SES) will celebrate its 30th birthday.
The Altona Unit is responsible for all SES calls for assistance within the Hobsons Bay community and support to other emergency service.
The Victoria State Emergency Service Altona Unit was established by the former City of Altona Council in 1983 and is manned by 24 trained, unpaid volunteers.
Five of the original foundation volunteer members still serve in the unit.
Four members including Craig MacCallum, Leigh Hardinge OAM, Alfred Pelns and Alan Tankard have completed more than 30 years of volunteer community service in the City of Hobsons Bay.
The fifth member, Kay Stirling has completed 25 years.
Past Unit Controller Leigh Hardinge said the unit has a proud history of serving its community.
“The Altona Unit has a hard working group of volunteer members who come from all walks of life professions and trades, their community service being well supported by their families,” he said.
“Without their dedication, support and efforts, most of which is unseen by the community owing to the fact a large proportion of our work is usually carried out after hours, our community would indeed be the poorer.”
“In the words of Cr Grant at the public meeting in 1983, the Altona SES Unit is a fine asset to the city and the community.”
The dinner is restricted to SES volunteers past and present.
