27 October, 2022
Caboolture SES volunteer Queensland Trainer of the Year
JULIE CROCKER from Caboolture SES Group was awarded the Joyce Scorey Shield for Trainer of the Year at the State SES Week Award Ceremony on October 8.
After serving in the Army Reserve for 23 years, Julie joined Caboolture SES in March 2015 before becoming the group leader and trainer.
Julie said she was very honoured to receive Trainer of the Year.
“I am really appreciative of the fact that I work for a great organisation, and I can teach people things they didn’t know before and train them into fantastic state emergency service members that can help the community when needed.”
Acting Minister for Fire and Emergency Services, Mark Furner MP, said it was crucial to recognise and thank SES volunteers for their ongoing service and dedication.
“The SES played a crucial role helping those affected by the Queensland and New South Wales floods earlier this year,” Mr Furner said.
“Being an SES volunteer is no easy feat – it requires hours of training, dedication to serve and courage to respond in the very worst of conditions.
“Whether it’s first aid, flood boat operation, technical rescue or land search, SES volunteers can often be the difference between life and death.”
Julie said her main duties as trainer and group leader are to ensure the maintenance of vehicles and equipment are up to date, and that members were trained and had completed all their competencies. “It’s a good 20 hours a week at times on top of your full-time work, so it can be quite taxing at times, however it’s also very rewarding.”
Acting Deputy Commissioner Joanne Greenfield said the State Award ceremony recognised those who have excelled in the service.
“While all SES volunteers do a wonderful job, our award winners have gone above and beyond what is expected of them and proven to be very deserving of the state’s top honours,” she said.
“At QFES we pride ourselves on upholding our values of respect, integrity, courage, loyalty and trust, and the recipients today have certainly demonstrated these values in their work.
“Thank you to all volunteers for their tireless efforts to assist communities before, during and after disasters.”
Julie’s goal as trainer and group leader over the next three years is to recruit another 30 volunteers and hopefully upgrade to a larger depot.
“Moreton Bay is going to be Moreton City soon with the amount of people coming through and housing estates popping up.
“We need all the help we can get.”
Anyone interested in joining can apply at www.qfes.qld. gov.au.
Anyone from the age of 16 is encouraged to volunteer.
“I think it would help a lot of people if they got involved in a volunteer organisation, such as SES,” Julie said.
