Tara Murray
Brimbank SES controller Bernie Thatcher has been to many call outs throughout her 12 years as a volunteer.
But the recent storms saw her volunteer role come together with her professional role, when she was called out to Sunshine College where she works.
When she arrived, school principal Tim Blunt was waiting at the gates with a smile on his face.
“During the storm two weeks ago our unit received over 330 calls and Jade and Tim allowed me the day off on Friday to assist,“ Ms Thatcher said.
“Ironically, we got called to the school to remove a tree that was on the road, footpath and driveway.”
Ms Thatcher is among those who are featured as part of Victorian SES’s Your Family, Our Family campaign that aims to highlight the incredible people that support the 5000 plus volunteers who are the backbone of the SES.
She said she couldn’t perform her volunteer role without the support of her family and the school.
“Volunteering for the VICSES is a huge commitment and to make it work a volunteer needs to make sure there is balance,” she said.
“With work and SES I have a lot of support from my business manager Jade [McKimmie] and the principal Tim, however I try not to abuse the support. If tasks can be completed by others during my work hours I leave it to them.
“As I work in finance and HR at a school, on pay calc days I switch off from SES as priority is to ensure staff and creditors get paid.
“My family is very supportive and adaptable. My husband has been a huge support and encouraged me to take on the unit controller role in March.”
Mr Blunt said the school’s values align with those of the SES and the school community is proud to have an SES member on staff.
“VICSES obviously has a high priority on looking after the well-being of the community so we are in sync with that, and no organisation can flourish without building strong relationships within the organisation and with those in the community.
“Community growth and wellbeing are so very important to both organisations.
“In supporting Bernie in her role with VICSES we are directly impacting on helping others….it’s just great.
“Bernie brings back an understanding about how events have impacted the community and shares a better understanding on how families are coping during times of stress.”
