Mandurah SES stalwart Phil Rance honoured with City of Mandurah community spirit award

The local legend was one of several emergency service volunteers to have their contribution to the community honoured on the night, with the award coming on the back of more than 35 years of service to the Murray and Mandurah SES units.

Mr Rance has been an integral part of the Mandurah unit in 2017, taking on a handful of responsibilities including communications and operational duties, and is also responsible for the training of new SES members

He is also a peer support officer in the unit, offering guidance to members that may have witnessed a traumatic experience.

While Mr Rance said it was an honour to be recognised by the City, he was adamant awards were just a bonus in his line of volunteer work.

“No one does it for the awards or any kind of recognition, you do it to help and be part of the community,” he said.

“But it’s certainly nice to know the community you serve appreciates the work you put in, and the work of the SES in general.

“There’s also a real feel of camaraderie in the SES, and it’s great to be part of the group.”

Mr Rance first joined the Murray SES in May, 1983, before transferring to the Mandurah unit.

In his time with Mandurah he has occupied countless roles and spearheaded several rescues, emergency situations and community projects.

Mandurah SES unit manager Chris Stickland said Mr Rance deserved every accolade that came his way.

“Some weeks he will put in upwards of 100 hours when it’s busy, and he goes above and beyond what needs to be done,” he said.

“Last year he won the Peel region’s Volunteer of the Year award and he certainly deserves every bit of recognition he gets for his work in the community.”

For more information or to join the Mandurah SES, call 9584 2125 or visit mandurahses.org.au