Members of the Benalla State Emergency Service unit has had a busy month, to say the least.
Fresh from supporting the community during the recent flood, with many members deployed to assist other communities, it had a visit on Thursday, October 20.
Shadow State Minister for Emergency Services Brad Battin was on a tour of the Euroa Electorate with Liberal Candidate Brad Hearn to see, first-hand, the effects of recent flooding — as well as meeting SES members.
Their visit coincided with Benalla Rural City councillors, and chief executive officer Dom Testoni, who were also there to show support to this vital service, and the people behind it.
Mr Hearn said it was important to take an opportunity to meet with, and find out what the needs were, for local emergency services.
“I’ve brought Brad Battin, the Shadow Minister for Emergency Services, up to see what’s been happening in the electorate,” Mr Hearn said.
“To see what country communities need, and how we can better protect rural and regional Victoria.
“SES here in Benalla are after new facilities for meeting rooms, lockers and even adequate toilet facilities for their volunteers.
“They’ve done an incredible job over a number of weeks, not only helping this community, but also Shepparton and Wangaratta.
“We owe a huge debt to them.”
Benalla SES Controller Alex Young said the unit’s facilities needed upgrading in order to better serve the community and attract new volunteers.
“We’re looking at things like changing rooms, toilets and bringing everything up to a modern level, so the members have the right facilities to do our job and prepare for these larger events, like the one we’ve gone through in the past couple of days,” Mr Young said.
“Sadly we keep learning that during floods and heavy rain events that our toilets and septic systems don’t quite like the rain, so it’s a matter of having to loan porta-loos from CFA.
“A very high priority for me would be to hook in the unit to the local town sewage system.
“Sadly we still have lockers in engine rooms. We try and do a bit of a separation, so its guys on one side and girls on the other.
“But separated changing rooms would be another priority.”
Mr Battin said part of the visit was to thank emergency service volunteers, and he would continue to advocate for them, even if the coalition remains in opposition after the election.
“I was in opposition for most of the time for the advocacy of the new Emerald SES unit,” he said.
“Even in opposite you can make a lot of noise and remind people what needs to be done.
“However, If elected there is more you can do.
“There are set budgets, but when you’ve got older units and older stations looking tired it can be very hard to attract volunteers.
“Whereas, people do want to give back, so having nice shiny new facilities where its safe, and have female and male changing rooms, showers, toilets, those things we think should be a given in those units and stations.”