Thursday, 7 March 2024

Bass electorate emergency services volunteers

Jordan CRUGNALE (Bass) (17:24): (578) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Emergency Services in the other place, and the action I seek is that the minister join me to visit, meet with and thank our local volunteer emergency services responders, including those at our local lifesaving clubs of Inverloch, Cape Paterson, Wonthaggi and Cape Woolamai and those at our VICSES units of Inverloch, San Remo and Phillip Island, who have been called to a number of water rescues over this summer. We have had an awful summer, with too many precious loved ones losing their lives to drowning, and we send love, strength and support to their families, friends and all who cherished them, and far too many more are being rescued.

The multi-agency response has been exemplary over this period. I have reached out personally to the first responders, including the lifesaving clubs, SES, Ambulance Victoria and local police. The support and care provided by those attending so many incidents on our waterways, and the local surfers and community members, who are often the first there to raise the alarm, should be commended. There is a collective want and urgency to do more. I have collated a lot of ideas and experiences and am working to formalise this and, where appropriate, hold localised discussions with various agencies, their members and the broader community.

Our Bass community is a very special one. They come together, they rally around and they support and hold each other in times of need and will continue to do so in the times ahead. Thank you, Minister. We look forward to seeing you in Bass. Your presence and acknowledgement of the dedication, efforts and professionalism of our volunteer first responders will be appreciated, and it will be an opportunity also to hear their efforts, experiences and stories.