WATCHING local communities bind together during times of crisis is one of the most satisfying parts of belonging to the Jimboomba SES group.
This was what Jimboomba Group Leader Craig Guy said stuck in his mind when reflecting on the incredibly busy year of 2017.
Mr Guy was awarded with an Australia Day Achievement Medallion at the QFES Australia Day ceremony at Beenleigh on Thursday.
He has been an active SES volunteer for 22 years and said belonging to the group is one of the most awarding experiences he has enjoyed.
“There is so much you can get out of it, you do everything from flood boat operations to working at heights and using chainsaws and learning how to deal with the community,” he said.
“It is an amazing skill-set to have.”
Mr Guy was singled out alongside Logan East’s Deputy Group Leader Jane McKay and Team Leader Belinda Quaill for demonstrating skill and professionalism for operating the flood boat craft during the extreme flooding event from March 31 last year.
He said it was during this difficult time when the Logan community shone.
“The way the community came together in Jimboomba and flagstone area and the way the residents there looked after themselves and tried to assist where we could was incredible,” he said.
“Having those people helping us to help them was the best thing from my point of view as the Jimboomba group leader. To see the local community band together.”
QFES Commissioner Katarina Carroll said all Australia Day Award winners shared a common goal to make their communities a safer and better place.
“While their backgrounds and experienced may vary, they all share one common goal: devoting their time and expertise to community safety and serving Queenslanders in times of need.”
Logan SES controller Jim Ferguson was presented with the QFES Commissioner’s medal for Valour at the ceremony to honour his brave rescue of a family alongside volunteers Chris Holloway and Claire Browning during the Logan and Albert River flood.
The medal for Valour is the highest bravery award possible.
Chris Holloway and Claire Browning received the Commissioner’s commendation for bravery.
