Two 17-year-old volunteers have been making their mark with the Melton SES by attending almost 200 combined callouts since November.
Aiden Stylianou and Riley Dalgleish are both residents of the Caroline Springs area who joined the SES as junior members about a year ago.
Each are following in family footsteps, with Riley’s parents having 45 years combined experience in the SES and Aiden’s father being the Melton unit controller and an SES life member.
Aiden said for him, joining the SES was a “no-brainer”.
“I want to follow in the footsteps of my father Wayne [Stylianou]… I like being part of a team and learning new skills such as first aid, communications, leadership, how to manage complex and continually changing situations and changing people’s lives,” he said.
Riley said joining the SES has helped him increase my confidence.
“I’ve been lucky enough to be able to bring some of leadership, communication, and planning skills into my Studies as a year 12 student,” he said. “We train on a Monday night and I attend emergency calls when I’m available which doesn’t interfere with school or my homework.”
Melton unit community engagement deputy controller Yvonne Newton said the boys are great and are always willing to learn.
“They mix well with all the other members and always share a smile,” she said.
Ms Newton said Melton SES has responded to 373 emergency calls since November 1.
“This summer has been challenging, severe storms, flash flooding have heavily impacted local communities around Melton,” she said.
“In the past, the summer period has been associated with enhanced risk of fire, however the frequency and intensity of severe thunderstorms has increased. Particularly on hot days we are seeing damaging winds, heavy rainfall leading to flash flood, and the potential for large hail.”
Details: www.ses.vic.gov.au/join-us/volunteer.
