Queensland State Emergency Service Volunteer Association

17/06/2026

One of the recent initiatives your QLDSESVA has been involved in is the Ministerial Advisory Panel for Volunteering that was convened by the Department of Local Government, Water & Volunteers. This panel was established to ensure voices of volunteers are key to guiding government's work to grow and sustain volunteering across Queensland. The QLDSESVA's work has already piqued the interest of the panel, with Minister Leahy and other panel members recently asking for additional information from the Cost of Living Survey we conducted earlier in the year to inform future planning.

As part of this partnership, the QLDSESVA encourages all of our members and SES volunteers to contribute to the 'Volunteering, have your say' survey which can be accessed at https://www.qld.gov.au/community/community-organisations-volunteering/volunteering

Please take the time to contribute your thoughts and lived experience as community volunteers to ensure they are heard as part of this important body of work.

14/06/2026

Our final round of grant funding for this financial year, in the category of Equipment, Supplies and Operational Items, is now open. Queensland State Emergency Service Volunteer Groups are invited to apply for grants of up to $500, $1,000 or $2,000.

Guidelines here:
https://www.qldsesva.org.au/grants-funding-guidelines

On-line application form here:
https://www.qldsesva.org.au/grants-on-line-application-form

09/06/2026

📢 QLDSESVA MEMBER UPDATE – JUNE 2026

What has your Association been working on this month?

Over the past month we’ve been representing Queensland volunteers nationally in Canberra, advocating on training and leadership development, reviewing the proposed SES Local Government Agreements, raising concerns regarding LLN&D assessments, pushing for improved Incident Controller training opportunities, discussing volunteer recruitment reforms and launching our new Regional Volunteer Advocate Network.

We’ve also attended the National Emergency Services Memorial Service, supported our Young Emerging Leaders Program and met with organisations supporting SES volunteer fundraising and future sustainability. There’s a lot happening across Queensland SES right now and we want members to know what we’re working on behind the scenes on your behalf.



Click the link below to read the full June Member Update.

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https://www.qldsesva.org.au/index.cfm?module=news&pagemode=indiv&page_id=6131403

As always, thank you for your service to your communities and for your continued support of the Queensland SES Volunteer Association.

07/06/2026

It's an honour! 🎖️

The QLDSESVA would like to congratulate Cindel Richardson & John Wallace as Queensland SES recipients of the Emergency Services Medal on this years King's Brithday Honours list.

On top of her tireless service as an SES volunteer, Cindel is also a past Vice-President of the QLDSESVA.

For full details of all honours recipients can be found on the Queensland Government House website.

The Governor-General has announced the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours List, recognising 142 exceptional Queenslanders for their outstanding contributions to the community, public service, the professions, emergency services and the Australian Defence Force.

06/06/2026

Happy birthday Queensland! 🎉

Today marked the culmination of the Queensland SES 50th anniversary events with a civic march and SES showcase in King George Square, Brisbane. Volunteer Representatives from all Regions joined our outgoing and incoming Chief Officers, Minister for Police & Emergency Services and Lord Mayor of Brisbane to recognise the contributions SES volunteers have and continue to make to the resilience of our Queensland communities.

QLDSESVA President Justin (pictured here with members of Brisbane Unit) was in town to celebrate with our members, SES volunteers and most importantly, the families and community.

03/06/2026

It's awards season! 🎖️

Across Queensland our Regions are in the middle of events celebrating the achievements of SES volunteers. Last weekend, QLDSESVA Vice President - Corporate Advocacy Paul was privileged to share the occasion with recipients, fellow volunteers and their families of State Emergency Service - North Coast Region at their Regional Awards Ceremony in Maryborough.

Be it operational service in adverse conditions, excellence behind the scenes in training and coordination, or the personal resilience in achieving long service milestones, these events are humbling in seeing the dedication to serving their communities that so many SES volunteers have demonstrated.

Well done to recipients across all of Queensland, and make sure you take the time to congratulate your colleagues who were recognised this year!

19/05/2026

Redland Bay SES Group have recently been working to establish a new SES team on Coochiemudlo Island. The Redland City Unit covers both mainland and very diverse island communities, and until recently, has had an established presence on all but this island.

It has been our pleasure to support this process in a small way by the provision of shelving, a fridge and a compressor, acquired through our most recent round of grant funding.

10/05/2026

The QLDSESVA May 2026 Member Update is now available.

This month’s update covers:
• Emergency Volunteering Advisory Forum discussions with Ministers and senior leadership
• The statewide Cost of Living Survey and its operational impacts
• Volunteer sustainability and surge capability discussions
• Policy, training and governance updates
• Volunteer welfare, recognition and organisational advocacy

Importantly, all cost-of-living survey reporting has been carefully structured to protect volunteer privacy and ensure no individual member, unit or region can be identified through the released data.

Thank you to every volunteer who contributed their feedback and continues supporting their communities across Queensland.

Read the full update here: https://www.qldsesva.org.au/index.cfm?module=news&pagemode=indiv&page_id=5754343

09/05/2026

Yesterday, three Queensland State Emergency Service Volunteer Association directors and three young emerging leaders attended the National Last Post Ceremony at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

As part of the ceremony, they participated in the Honour Guard parade alongside young emerging leaders and emergency service representatives from every state and territory across Australia.

The event formed part of the national emergency services activities being held in Canberra this week and provided an opportunity for volunteers from across the country to come together and represent their respective organisations and communities.

We thank the Australian War Memorial for the opportunity to participate in the ceremony.

06/05/2026

Six Queensland SES Volunteers Association members are currently in Canberra attending AFAC National Emergency Service Memorial Day events this week.

Today, while visiting the NSW SES Volunteers Association training facility alongside emergency service volunteers from across Australia, attendees paused for a minute’s silence in honour of the two Marine Rescue volunteers tragically lost while undertaking an ocean rescue this week.

Our thoughts are with their families, friends, fellow volunteers and the entire Marine Rescue community during this difficult time.

Their service, commitment and sacrifice will not be forgotten.