Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp led the praise for the region’s NSW State Emergency Service (SES) members at a special function this week.
Following a huge month, helping others combat severe flooding throughout the Hunter and Mid-North Coast, it was a timely opportunity to acknowledge the organisation’s volunteers for a job well done.
And, Surfest did just that by hosting a Thank You Lunch in the former steel city on Friday 6 June.
With crews from Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens in attendance, the local member hailed them the “unsung heroes of our community”.
“They’ve been working tirelessly to keep everyone safe before, during and after the extreme weather event in May,” Mr Crakanthorp said.
“I am so grateful to them and to the team at Surfest for hosting this Thank You Lunch.
“From 14 to 27 May, the NSW SES responded to almost 18,000 calls across the state and carried out 800 flood rescues.
“In the Newcastle LGA, they acted on 333 incidents.
“Three of those were flood rescues, too.
“It is an unbelievable effort… and I speak on behalf of the entire community when I say ‘thank you’.”
While the NSW SES has concluded its operational response, floods in some areas were the highest-ever recorded, including in Taree, where the Manning River exceeded a century-old record.
But, in the middle of the drama, they led an extensive emergency response with volunteers and partner agencies – including NSW Rural Fire Service, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Police, NSW Ambulance, Surf Life Saving NSW, Marine Rescue NSW and VRA Rescue NSW.
The NSW SES also carried out resupply operations to isolated communities, such as Hinton and Paterson, delivering essential supplies including food, water and medicine.
Since Wednesday 14 May, the NSW SES has:
- Received 17,679 calls for assistance
- Responded to 8,895 incidents
- Completed 806 flood rescues
- Issued 1,206 warnings
- Completed 416 resupply missions to isolated communities
- Conducted more than 12,020 damage assessments
- Mobilised more than 2,200 volunteers to assist communities, alongside 836 emergency service partner personnel from NSW and across the country; 70 emergency service personnel from Australian Defence; and six emergency service personnel from New Zealand
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