Future volunteer

PORT Fairy’s many and varied emergency services units were on display last weekend.

Future life saver: Three year-old Kasper was keen to jump in Warrnambool Surf Life Saving Club’s inflatable when he visited the emergency services community day in Port Fairy last weekend. The day gave locals and visitors an opportunity to learn more about a range of emergency services and opportunities to join.

Sunday’s emergency services community day saw personnel from the local fire brigade, SES unit, police, ambulance, surf life saving club and marine rescue set up information stands and interactive displays in front of the SES building.

Despite the cool conditions, a large crowd enjoyed the opportunity to speak with volunteers and team members and learn more about each of the services.

“It was a wonderful day,” Bree Emonson, section leader of community engagement with Port Fairy SES said.

“Not even rain earlier in the day could dampen the spirits of everyone there; it was great to have each of our town’s emergency services represented which gave a great insight into all that we offer.

“Even if we can get just one extra volunteer it makes all the organising (of the day) worthwhile.”

Sunday’s community day followed an extremely busy period for members of the SES, who answered more than 60 calls for assistance across the town after strong winds hit the district last Friday night.

“The weather station on top of our building recorded 105-kilometre winds on Friday night,” Bree said.

“As a result, we were kept extremely busy overnight and into Saturday, with numerous reports of trees down over roads and some building damage across Port Fairy. Needless to say we were all pretty exhausted by Sunday night.”

After such a successful event on Sunday, it is hoped the community day may become a regular event.