Seventeen years later, after deployments to major bushfires, floods and other emergencies, the Seymour volunteer has been recognised with a VICSES Excellence Award for her service and leadership.
Ms Welsh received the award in the Values category at a ceremony at Wangaratta Gateway on May 31, which celebrated hundreds of volunteer first responders from across VICSES’ Hume region.
The award also recognised her incredible work supporting the redevelopment of the VICSES Murchison Unit and the rallying of the local volunteer base, allowing the unit to regain its footing locally and strengthen community confidence.
Ms Welsh said she was “very surprised” to receive the award.
“I’m definitely grateful to be nominated and chosen,” she said.
Ms Welsh was inspired to join the SES following the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires, particularly as she had relatives involved in the organisation at the time.
“So many people in the community wanted to help, and unfortunately with these things if you're not qualified and a part of that organisation, it’s really difficult to be able to do anything meaningful,” she said.
“So that was my reason for joining.”
Ms Welsh has since been involved in many major emergency responses, including the 2019-20 bushfires, with deployments to Corryong, Omeo and the ACT.
“We provided rescue support for communities where the SES might be dual members with CFA, protecting their properties,” she said.
“One of the times I was up at Coryong, we actually got evacuated because the fire came back again.
“The next day we were able to go back, but there was no power, it was quite hot and there was smoke everywhere.
“It was definitely confronting.”
Ms Welsh said the 2022 floods were the event that had stayed with her most.
“It was a massive event,” she said.
“The Seymour unit alone had around 250 requests for assistance in a 24- to 36-hour period.
“Again, it’s very confronting and quite chaotic, but we had support from our local CFA and more.”
VICSES operations manager and Goulburn-Broken Unit Support Team member Scott Richter said the recognition was well deserved.
“Our VICSES volunteers do incredible work in their communities both pre-emptively and in times of emergencies without the expectation of acknowledgment for their efforts,” he said.
“We have so many incredibly experienced members who continue to lend their expertise to local emergency response and awareness, and it’s important we celebrate that fact at every opportunity.”
Ms Welsh encouraged anyone thinking about joining the SES to get involved.
“You get so much in return,” she said.
“You get nationally recognised qualifications and you meet people that become lifelong friends.”
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