SES Gisborne Unit

14/10/2026

Today is the Great ShakeOut, a global drill held every year, to educate the community on earthquake safety.

As the control agency for earthquake, we want every Victorian to know the three important steps to stay safe during an earthquake: DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON!

Even though high magnitude earthquakes are rare in Victoria, they do happen and you could experience one while travelling overseas.

🪇 For more information on being quake-safe, visit our website: www.ses.vic.gov.au/earthquake

14/10/2026

🧡 Girls on Fire – Woodend 🧡

What a great day at SES Woodend Unit and Woodend CFA today for Girls on Fire.

It was awesome to see so many girls getting involved, giving things a go, learning new skills and building their confidence.

Girls on Fire is all about showing young girls what’s possible, encouraging them to step outside their comfort zones and showing them that there’s a place for them in emergency services.

It’s about building confidence, creating connections and reminding the next generation that they can do anything they put their minds to! 💪🧡

A huge thank you to everyone who helped make today happen and to all the girls who came along and got involved.

14/10/2026

13/10/2026

Monday Night Training = Chainsaw Training

Monday night, our members got hands-on with chainsaw training!

We had Nathan from Macedon Ranges Shire Council join us to talk through Arboriculture, pruning techniques and the importance of doing things the right way.

After the theory, it was time to put the learnings to the test and get out there for some practical training!

Training like this helps keep our members safe, build their skills and ensure we’re ready to respond when the community needs us.

A big thank you to Nathan for giving up his time to share his knowledge and expertise with our members.

08/10/2026

Next Thursday is the Great ShakeOut, a global earthquake drill held each year to raise awareness around earthquake safety.

If you are inside when the ground starts to shake you need to:
⬇️ DROP to the ground under a sturdy table
🙆 COVER your head and neck
🤛 HOLD ON to the table leg until the shaking stops

If you can’t get under a table, drop to the ground, or brake your wheelchair or walker if you are using one. Then cover your head and neck with a pillow, book or whatever is available until the shaking stops.

Did you know that in 2021, we experienced a 5.9 magnitude earthquake in north-east Victoria, with over 35,000 felt reports? This quake caused widespread power outages and building damage. Only 3% of people knew to DROP, COVER and HOLD ON to stay safe when the earthquake hit – a statistic that makes us tremble.

We also experienced a 4.8 magnitude earthquake just recently on 3 October, with over 20,000 felt reports.
Make sure you’re prepared for the next earthquake.

Register your school, workplace or community group to spend just 60 seconds practising DROP, COVER, HOLD ON as part of the Great ShakeOut earthquake drill on 15 October here: ses.vic.gov.au/great-shakeout-earthquake-drill

07/10/2026

The SES Gisborne Unit team will return with another live demonstration before the bonfire is lit.

It is a close-up look at the skill, teamwork and equipment used during a rescue. Come along and see our local emergency services volunteers in action.
Ambulance Victoria will also have a Community stand on site with props and info for both adults and kids to check out 🚑

Gates open at 5pm on Saturday 17 October.

04/10/2026

Don’t forget to register for our upcoming Storm & Flood Preparedness Information Sessions! 🧡

Our first session is tomorrow at 1:30pm at Gisborne Uniting Church.

Come along and have a chat with us about how you can prepare your home, family and pets before the next storm or flood hits.

A little preparation now can make a big difference when severe weather strikes. 🌧️💨

We’d love to see you there.

Are You Flood or Storm Ready?

The High Risk Weather Season is fast approaching, and now is the time to prepare.

Gisborne SES is hosting a series of free community information sessions to help residents understand their local flood and storm risks and learn practical steps they can take to prepare their homes, families and properties for emergencies.

At these sessions, you'll learn:
- How to prepare for storms and floods before they occur
- What to include in your emergency plan and emergency kit
- Where to find reliable warnings and emergency information
- Simple actions that can help reduce the impact of severe weather

To view session dates, locations and times, scan the QR code below or visit:

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/cYiTiKXGTt

03/10/2026

Don’t forget to turn your clocks forward before you go the bed tonight!

🌟 Tonight is the night!

🕑 Clocks will move forward one hour at 2 am to kick off daylight saving time.

We know most devices automatically adjust but some clocks, like those in your kitchen appliances, wall clocks, or car, may need to be manually changed.

While you're at it, be sure to check your smoke alarm batteries. To do this, press and hold the test button until the smoke alarm beeps three times.

If your alarm doesn’t beep three times, it needs new batteries or replacement.

Learn more: cfa.vic.gov.au/fire-safety/home-fire-safety/smoke-alarms

02/10/2026

Do you know when to call SES?

During storms and flood events, volunteers from the Gisborne unit respond to requests for assistance right across our community. Knowing when to contact us helps ensure crews can prioritise jobs and get help where it’s needed most.

✅ Call SES on 132 500 for assistance with:
• Storm or wind damage to your home or property
• Roof damage or leaking roofs
• Fallen trees or branches causing damage or preventing you from leaving/entering your property
• Flooding impacting your property

🚨 Call Triple Zero (000) if the situation is life-threatening, including:
• Someone trapped or injured
• People are trapped by flood water

❗ Important Reminder
Please DO NOT request assistance via social media or email. These platforms are not monitored 24/7, particularly during severe weather events, and your request may not be seen in time.

☎️ The quickest for way to request assistance for flood or storm emergencies is by calling 132 500.

📞 For life threatening emergencies, please call 000

🧏If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech impairment, contact emergency numbers using the National Relay Service:
- TTY users phone 106 then ask for either 000 or 132 500
- Speak and Listen users phone 1800 555 727 then ask for either 000 or 132 500
- Internet relay users connect to the NRS then ask for either 000 or 132 500

29/09/2026

💙 National Police Remembrance Day 💙

Today we remember and honour the police officers who have lost their lives while serving and protecting our communities.

Our thoughts are with their families, friends, colleagues and loved ones, who continue to carry their memory.

From all of us at Gisborne SES, thank you to the men and women of Victoria Police and police services across Australia for the work you do every day to keep our communities safe.

We remember. We honour. We will never forget.