Gisborne SES welcomes new chief and thanks past

Victoria State Emergency Service Gisborne Unit welcomed Ross Evans as their new Unit Controller in July. Ross succeeds Mike Bagnall who led the unit for nearly six years, during which time the membership doubled. At the beginning of his tenure, Mike had a volunteer crew of 35 volunteers. Today, and nearly seven years on, the headcount sits at 70, with a further 20 waiting to join.

Mike Bagnall

Mike’s successful approach to recruitment and retention was informed by the wide range of reasons that people join the service. New volunteers may be enticed by the prospect of finding a new social circle, gaining nationally accredited skills, or even a renewed sense of their own identity.

For Mike, having recently moved to Gisborne from the city, he wanted an identity outside of his family. Once a member of VICSES, he gained skills in sector and divisional command, ran a flood response across a large area, and had the chance to lead an emergency service, which had been a major life goal.

As unit leader, Mike felt it was vital for new members to feel like there was a place for them, and that they were needed. This open culture had long been a feature of the unit, which Mike highlighted during recruitment campaigns.

During Mike’s tenure, the unit used its social media presence to showcase the training and skills it could provide to potential new members, and publicly celebrate their diverse ages and backgrounds. In a recent intake, the unit welcomed members aged 17 to 75 years old.

To support new members, the senior ranks of VICSES Gisborne Unit contain a wealth of knowledge, with a combined total of 135 years of diligent service given by just eight currently serving members. Notably, Ross Sapwell – a veteran of the Ash Wednesday fires of 1983 – has been a VICSES volunteer for 40 years.

UC Ross Evans

New Unit Controller Ross Evans is taking a long-term view of the needs of the area, and of the volunteers. Planning, fundraising and lobbying for a new building to accommodate a larger and growing workforce, to support an even larger number of volunteers to respond to an increased need for their services.

In the short-term, Ross plans to add a fifth vehicle to the unit’s fleet, building on the unit’s capacity to respond to large-scale emergencies throughout the Macedon Ranges.

Ross was previously responsible for public relations and fundraising at the Gisborne Unit, and his appointment draws from the depth of that leadership experience served within the unit.

He will also set up a “unit within a unit” for its youth membership. This unit would be a learning environment for that younger cohort, to nurture future leaders at the unit and beyond.

News From Daly Nature Reserve

AGM formalities for the Friends of Daly Nature Reserve are short and sweet, and our guest speakers talk about local interests. There is always plenty of time to chat, enjoy light refreshments and take part in the raffle.

If you are interested in nominating to join our committee please reply to dalynaturereserve@gmail.com.

Nominations are open until the day of the meeting, Saturday 2 September, at 2pm in the Gisborne Scout Hall.

In UL Daly Nature Reserve we regularly see magpies, sulphur-crested cockatoos, as well as corellas, wattle birds, and the occasional wood duck, ibis, and king parrot.

There are many bird calls heard overhead, some still to be identified, but there is no mistaking the kookaburra’s laugh.

If your family need to identify birds which live in and around your garden, we recommend you obtain the excellent booklet produced by Macedon Ranges Shire Council, Birds of the Macedon Ranges

Despite recent weather patterns keeping us guessing, we have dodged most of the showers and continued to get plenty of work done during our monthly working bees.

Join us any second Tuesday each month at Gisborne Scout Hall, 9.30am to meet our friendly team.

Enquiries dalynaturereserve@gmail.com.

Friends of Daly Nature Reserve

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