General News
10 June, 2026
SES sends SOS for volunteers
MORE volunteers are badly needed for the region’s SES groups, with a deputation to Tablelands Regional Council detailing the lack of members at two local branches.
SES Atherton Group Leader Catherine Kent said SES volunteers played a critical role in emergencies, search and rescue operations, and disaster response.
“However, our southern SES groups in Mt Garnet and Ravenshoe are currently experiencing very low volunteer numbers, so we are seeking council’s support in encouraging community members to get involved,” she told council.
“For the Mt Garnet group, there’s a strong need for volunteers to assist with road crash rescue, land search and chainsaw operations.
“The road crash rescue capability in Mt Garnet is particularly important for our region – the nearest fire resource is in Ravenshoe, an hour away, so they get an hour head start to be able to help anyone between Greenvale and Mt Surprise – a massive area.
“They need four people as a minimum to go out on any of those callouts – we know that within the Atherton group, if we have 20 chainsaw operators, we can struggle to get two people at any time of the day to be able to go out and help our community.
“They currently only have six members, so for them to have four members to be called out at any time of the day, holidays etc, it’s a really big strain on those six people. So, we are strongly encouraging people to join the Mt Garnet crew.”
The Ravenshoe group only had three members at the moment.
“So, they are supported heavily by Malanda and Atherton whenever there is an event or a land search which we are more than happy to do, but they do need some capability within their own space because it takes us an hour to get to Ravenshoe,” Ms Kent said.
“So, the skill sets we are looking for in Ravenshoe would be chainsaw operators, land search, and heights operations.”
She said the SES provided valuable training, practical skills and the opportunity to directly support the community in their time of need.
No experience or skills were necessary to join, with the SES prepared to provide initial training which included two accommodated weekends in Cairns with meals provided and experienced trainers delivering the programs.
The “orange family” provided a strong sense of community and connection, with members aged from 16 to 90 in the Atherton group, which allowed the more experienced people to share knowledge with their younger counterparts, Ms Kent said.
“So, it’s an incredible space to work in and build lifelong friendships, gain confidence and learn practical skills that help local communities,” she said.
“Every additional volunteer strengthens our regions emergency response capability and helps to ensure these essential services remain into the future.”
Recently, the SES got a much-needed boost, with three new dual cab Toyota LandCruiser vehicles officially handed over.
Two vehicles will be utilised by the Atherton SES group and one will go to the Mt Garnet group.
The vehicles were funded through SES grant support in partnership with Tablelands Regional Council.
SES Far Northern Area Controller James Gegg said the new vehicles highlighted the strong partnership between SES and TRC.
“The support and assistance from all TRC staff and elected officials ensure efficient and effective emergency responses from local SES volunteers,” he said.
“Funding from SES support grants, together with council contributions, has provided for the replacement of troop carriers with new dual-cab Land Cruisers.
“These new vehicles will provide SES volunteers with increased capability and safer transport.”
