September 13, 2023
There will be three emergency flood boats based in the South Burnett following the North Coast SES Awards ceremony held in Kilkivan on Saturday.
The keys to a new boat were presented to representatives from the Nanango SES at the event by QFES Commissioner Greg Leach, Assistant Commissioner Gary McCormack and SES Regional Director Angela Everist.
The 5.9m Swift flood boat also came equipped with a trailer and a 115hp outboard motor.
South Burnett Local Controller Scott Barry said there would now be flood boats situated in Nanango, Proston and Murgon.
The awards ceremony were held in Kilkivan Public Hall at the start of SES Week.
A highlight was the presentation to the South Burnett Group of the award for “Operational Response Of The Year” for the search for missing man Luke Fergusson at Kinleymore in June.
The award cited the volunteers’ selfless commitment and collaboration in support of the South Burnett community during the protracted land search operation.
Mr Barry said the award recognised the six South Burnett SES groups – Nanango, Kingaroy, Blackbutt, Wondai, Murgon and Proston – which were involved in the search.
SES Week runs from September 9-17 and highlights the many SES volunteers who dedicate thousands of hours each year to help keep Queensland safe.
Commissioner Leach said he was extremely proud of the generosity and dedication of SES volunteers.
“(They) spent more than 92,000 hours responding to incidents in the last year, plus more than 330,000 hours of training and preparation,” he said.
“Volunteers continue to do an exceptional job in helping Queensland prepare and respond to disasters and emergencies, which is why it’s so important we continue to support them.”
South Burnett Regional Council CEO Mark Pitt represented the SBRC at the awards ceremony.
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