Residents from Mandurah and across Western Australia embraced Wear Orange Wednesday (WOW Day) yesterday, in a show of support and appreciation to the State Emergency Services volunteers.
The SES began in 1959 after central New South Wales was hit by a severe storm, with lives lost and 7000 homes and buildings destroyed.
Sixty years on, across WA there are about 65 operating units with more than 2000 volunteers.
The Mandurah SES unit has been running for 42 years and is one of the largest active units in the state with over 80 volunteers.
The unit provides support to 32 community events each year alongside responding to a range of incidents.
Over the past year the Mandurah SES has responded to about 50 requests for help and given up more than 3500 hours of their time to help the community.
They respond to storm damage call outs, flooding, searches, cyclones, car crashes when needed, and provide support during bushfires.
The Mandurah unit is one of the first in WA to have an attached cadet unit and has had around 5500 cadets pass through since 1986, with 53 cadets currently in the unit at present.
On WOW Day, several landmarks across WA were lit up in orange, including Matagarup Bridge, Parliament House, Elizabeth Quay and Yagan Square.
WA emergency services minister Francis Logan said the state was very fortunate to have dedicated SES volunteers who often work day and night to protect people in emergencies.
"These everyday heroes come from all walks of life, ranging from teenagers through to octogenarians, who help during wild weather, tirelessly search for missing people, and provide vital support during bushfires," he said.
"Their contribution to our state is invaluable and WOW Day is an opportunity to thank those who put their personal lives on hold to help others in need."
For more information on Mandurah SES, visit their website here.
