Splash some orange to say #ThankYouSES

Wear Orange Wednesday (WOW Day) - a national day to thank all State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers - will be celebrated across the country on Wednesday, May 22.

In South Australia over the past 12 months, highly skilled SES volunteers have undertaken more than 43,000 hours of training and responded to over 6800 requests for assistance from the public, including rescuing people from mine shafts, road crashes and floods.

On WOW Day people are encouraged to wear something orange and share their photos on social media using the hashtag #ThankYouSES.

Minister for Emergency Services, Dan Cregan, said the dedicated day was a small way to recognise the service of volunteers. “SES volunteers work tirelessly to support their communities year-round across the state, from the city to the remote outback,” he said.

“On WOW Day and every day, thank you to our volunteers in orange who are ready to respond to a wide range of emergencies and help South Australians in need.”

Chris Beattie, Chief Officer of the SA SES said the dedication of volunteers extended beyond providing an emergency response.

“Over the past 12 months our 1700 volunteers - from 67 Units across the state - have undertaken more than 43,000 hours of training across our organisation,’’ he said.

“It is an enormous commitment on their behalf and crucial to ensuring they maintain and regularly update rescue skills to provide the best possible emergency response to individuals and communities in need.

“As an organisation we are also committed to helping build safer and more resilient communities through engagement and education, to assist in minimising the impact of extreme weather events such as severe floods and damaging storms.

“Wear Orange Wednesday on May 22 is an ideal opportunity for people to show their appreciation for our amazing volunteers.’’

He invited members of the public to visit the SES interactive display in Rundle Mall under the Gawler Place canopy from noon to 3pm on May 22 which will include giveaways, a visit from SES mascot Paddy the Platypus and a range of trucks and vehicles on display.

As part of the celebrations in South Australia, a number of iconic structures will ‘light up orange’ in recognition of the day, including the Adelaide Train Station, Parliament House, National Wine Centre, Port Adelaide lighthouse and the Viterra silos at Port Lincoln.

The SES will be hosting an interactive display at the Gawler Place canopy, Rundle Mall from noon to 3pm, on Wednesday, May 22.

This will include a free photo booth where people can show their appreciation for the SES by having a snapshot taken which will be shared on social media using the hashtag #ThankYouSES.