Another big week & I dont mean the weather.

Tuesday 17th March 2009

 

So as per usual its been a busy few weeks, but not because of the weather.

 

To start off, I was asked to represent the VICSES CEO (Mary Barry) at the Vietnamese dinner to help raise funds for the Bushfire relief and to also thank emergency services for their time and effort.

First of all, it was an absolute honour to be asked to represent Mary Barry, and to speak on behalf of all the VICSES volunteers that were deployed and those that maintained their Units core responsibilities post fire operation.

I completely forgot that I was actually giving a speech, so as I walked in Happy Receptions in Ascot Vale and seeing approx 200 guests trying to find which table they were seated at, my jaw literally dropped! If Tucek was not there to help me write my last minute speech I would have surely looked like a fool on stage.

It went ‘ok’…. Except for the fact that I didn’t have the microphone close enough to my mouth that people in the back of the room were not quite sure what I was on about. I did come to the realisation later into the night that I was seated with representatives from other emergency service organisations who are paid staff- CFA board member, Ambulance – Operations Officer Paul Holman, Acting Deputy Police Commissioner Emmett Dunne, Red Cross Acting CEO and other parliament members. Tucek & I were the only volunteers there! Even though Tucek is a VICSES staff member he was still there in his own time. Actually made it look abit better since he was in ceremonials (the BLING of uniforms) which the other ESO reps were also wearing.

 

Here are a few photos to amuse:

 

Emmett Dunne, Tucek & I laughing as we had just completed a quick interview for Vietnamese TV- i look forward to seeing myself talk english but have Vietnamese voice over.

 

Tucek & I

 

 

 Tucek, Paul Holman & I. I look very shiny faced!

 

Me on stage receiving certificate of thanks to VICSES for their support during Bushfire relief.

      

It was a fantastic night with the final tally from all Vietnamese communities AUSTRALIA wide being approx 2 million dollars! UNBELIEVABLE!!!!

They showed & read out each Vietnamese community group that had raised money for the Bushfire appeal and how much they managed to raise. It was commented that these communities don’t have a lot of money in the first place, so it’s fantastic how they are able to join together and give so much when they have so little themselves.

 

The night concluded with all the ESO reps on stage holding hands….yes you read right…holding hands and singing ‘we are Australian’! First time for everything.

 

THEN I was appointed Acting Controller of the Footscray Unit on Thursday evening by Central Region HQ. It was a rollercoaster ride last week with a few issues popping up but thankfully everyone at the Unit has been very supportive. I very much welcome the acting position and am overwhelmed with the thought that I could potentially be the youngest person EVER to be appointed Controller of a Unit and to top that off, I am female and Muslim!!! I am sure it would be a shock to those Controllers who have held their positions for a number of years or even been members of an SES Unit for 10 years plus. Something to only wait and see what happens….

 

THEN our Unit received its new Nissan Navara!!! Hooray! Its a fantastic looking car and we were lucky enough to be successful in our CSESP grant application for a new vehicle to replace our 1972 Troopie (though it will be missed). BIG thanks go to Marion & Tucek for helping me write the grant application (Marion being the Grant master!) AND the most impressive i believe is that its the Units FIRST ever successful grant (we have had many unsuccessful ones in the past) and the first ever grant i have put together!!!!

 

 

Here is our impressive new vehicle....not fitted out yet, but there is no rush =)

 

Now i just have to think of a way to make the other vehicles in our fleet look attractive so members dont just pick the new vehicle for call outs...hmmm.... tricky one.

 

Something COMPLETELY unrelated to SES, is that i WON ANOTHER flag in hockey! YAY. I have been playing hockey for 9yrs and have won 7 flags so far. Those of you not familiar with sporting lingo, flags = premierships. I didn't play winter season last year, but i did play summer. I must be a fluke, as most people who i know that have been playing 10yrs plus have only won 2-3 flags during their hockey career.

 

The winning team...most of the girls pictured have been playing with me for some yrs and in the same premiership team. 

 

My sister & I (who is also a volunteer)- yes we look the same! Something that works in our favor when i am absolutely buggered on the field and i need a replacement...hehe =)

 

I guess the whole point of posting a tad snitch of my private life is to show that you can be a volunteer, put in the time to help and STILL have a social life! I do many things, study full time, work part time, run a Unit of 30 members, play hockey and go out with friends & family. Volunteering doesn't mean you have to give up your life. Being green should however, become a way of life.

 

To be continued....

 

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