Mail - Ferntree Gully Star Mail - 23rd November 2021

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Ferntree Gully Belgrave

Emerald Rotary grateful for food

Domestic violence cases on the rise

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Tuesday, 23 November, 2021

Mail Helping Hills residents rebuild their homes

Mt Evelyn Nocturnal Zoo reopens its doors

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A Star News Group Publication

Phone: 5957 3700 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808

12496493-NG22-21

SES first call out By Parker McKenzie Shortly after a flag raising ceremony opened the new Emerald SES building, the unit received the first call out from their new home. Jim Paxton, Jenna Perry and Tom Johnson piled into the vehicle as they lifted the roller doors for the first time to respond to community call out for a fallen tree. The brief ceremony was attended by members of the Emerald SES unit and local Gembrook MP Brad Battan a week before the official opening on Saturday 27 November. Unit Controller Ben Owen said opening the new building was a relief that had been a long time coming. “It’s taken five years for concept drawings and the building process to be done,” he said. “I’ve been in the SES seven years and we all assumed we were going to get a new building soon and that was seven years ago.” Emerald SES has received close to 1700 calls for assistance so far in 2021 through heavy storms throughout the area. Mr Owen said members have slept on the floor of the old building because they couldn’t get home through bad weather. “To come into a state of the art building where the generators turn on by itself, the space for people to work safely, automated everything so the trucks can drive out with a press of a button instead of padlocks and chains will make such a difference,” “In terms of recruitment and retention we’ll get volunteers running through the doors to join and be a part of this.” Mr Owen also thanked Mr Battan for his work in ensuring the facility and Emerald SES was properly funded. Mr Battan said he promised Ben and his

An official opening ceremony will occur on Saturday 27 November. team that he wouldn’t give up on ensuring that the facility became a reality. “To see it here for the community is amazing,” Mr Battan said.

Picture: PARKER MCKENZIE

“I hope they get more members because people will see the great facility to come and train in.” Mr Owen had his own home damaged in

a storm and Mr Battan believes the effort of the families of SES members isn’t recognised enough. Continued page 3

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