Emergency Services Volunteers

The Hon. T.T. NGO (14:51): My question is to the Minister for Emergency Services and Correctional Services.

The Hon. K.J. Maher: The newest minister.

The Hon. T.T. NGO: The newest, yes, correct. Can the minister tell the council whether she has spoken with emergency services volunteers since being sworn in as minister?

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (Minister for Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Minister for Autism, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (14:52): As the honourable member said, look at my Facebook. Since being sworn into this role I have had the pleasure of listening and connecting with many members of our community who are the backbone of the emergency services sector, volunteers like Heidi from Sevenhill in the north region—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE: Sorry? I thought I missed a running joke or something there—who chose to sign up to the State Emergency Services because she saw a sign for a volunteer training night as she was walking down her main street. Five foot nothing and with a medic background, Heidi thought, 'Why not?' and went along to her training night, where she was the only woman in attendance. Now she is a fierce unit manager, who I understand has just been re-elected to her volunteer association position. Heidi is one of the many volunteers I have had the privilege of listening to over the last few weeks. Her ongoing dedication to helping those in her community, like that of her team and volunteers across the organisation, is commendable. They put their lives on the line for their community.

When I was chatting to Heidi and listening to her SES stories she recalled one of the times she was called to a job where a person was injured in a confronting incident. Often SES volunteers like Heidi are called into difficult situations and sometimes their job might be to hold someone's hand while they are waiting for help. A couple of years later, by coincidence, Heidi saw the same person walking down the street. As they passed one another they both recognised each other and that moment was not forgotten. He thanked her for showing up and being there for him.

Emergency services volunteers take time away from work and their families to provide their services to their community, not for thanks or accolades but because it is the right thing to do. Listening to Heidi's story and the stories of many other volunteers mere hours after being sworn into this portfolio area is a good reminder that it is a portfolio area focused on people—volunteers and staff who spend their time keeping people safe, protected and connected.