Standing out: The Cobram SES unit has marked Wear Orange Wednesday, which comes after several members were recently awarded for their long service.
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The SES has marked Wear Orange Wednesday, which celebrates volunteers’ efforts and achievements for the emergency service.
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Cobram SES deputy controller Luke Herezo said the service used the day to help recruit new volunteers and bring awareness to the role they played in the community.
“A lot of units do use it as a recruitment-based event and day, so that’s what we’re doing today, promoting Wear Orange Wednesday and recruitment,” he said.
The group set up a stand outside the BWS in Cobram to help boost visibility of what it is and what it does.
“It is essentially bringing awareness of the SES and the work the volunteers do within the community and who they are,” Mr Herezo said.
He said the day was designed to co-incide with National Volunteer Week, as volunteers were the ones doing most of the work.
“From all accounts, we’ve had some pretty good feedback. People are pretty receptive of what they (the volunteers) are doing there,” he said.
Recognition: Kristiaan Weiss, Luke Herezo, John Stava, Justin Greatorex, Wendy Tucknott and Jinette Graham were all recently awarded for years of service to the SES.
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The event also lines up with some recent awards the Cobram unit has scored, with six members being awarded for a collective 125 years of service.
Kristiaan Weiss was awarded for 10 years’ service, John Stava for 25 years, Wendy Tucknott for 35 years, Justin Greatorex for 10 years and Jinette Graham for 25 years.
Mr Herezo was awarded for 15 years of service at the Wangaratta ceremony on April 30.
The ceremony, which was giving awards to people across the whole north-east region, had been postponed for some time due to COVID-19 restrictions.
About 150 people had been nominated for awards, with about 60 receiving them on the night.
“(The awards) are just a good recognition of people’s service, of what they do for their community,” Mr Herezo said.
“I think people really underestimate the dedication you have to give over a number of years for these awards.
“There’s a lot of cold windy nights and some not so pleasant events to attend before you get to that level.”
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