Local training courses for Indigenous SES volunteers

16 May 2008 | Minister for Volunteering Linda Burney, Minister for Emergency Services Nathan Rees, Minister for Education and Training John Della Bosca

A training course for volunteering in emergency services will be run for Indigenous people in Wagga Wagga, Taree, Tabulam and Casino, following the success of a pilot project in Moree last year.

The State Emergency Service (SES) Indigenous Volunteers training project is a joint initiative between the SES, Department of Education and Training and the Office for Volunteering.

Minister for Volunteering, Linda Burney said National Volunteer Week was the perfect opportunity to announce the expansion of a volunteer training project.

"The course will give accredited training to Aboriginal people and boost the vital emergency volunteer response for local communities across NSW," Ms Burney said.

"Increasing the diversity of the volunteer workforce is an important objective of the Iemma Government – we know this is a crucial part of strengthening our communities and making our society cohesive and caring.

"Aboriginal people are very active volunteering informally in their communities, but this project will allow them to formalise their skills and give them the confidence and encouragement to join mainstream volunteering organisations like the SES.

"After an intensive two-week training course, graduates from this program are ready to join more than 10,000 SES volunteers based in 228 locations in NSW."

Minister for Emergency Services Nathan Rees said it was vital the SES and other volunteer organisations attracted volunteers from the widest possible cross-section of the community.

"The invaluable emergency service provided by the SES is not possible without the generosity of time and spirit of its many volunteers," Mr Rees said.

"The viability and vitality of any volunteer organisation requires the ongoing renewal of recruiting and training new volunteers, and drawing these volunteers from a broader pool improves the health of those organisations."

Minister for Education and Training John Della Bosca said this was another great example of the important role education and training plays in supporting volunteers in our community.

"I am particularly pleased to see Community Colleges working with the SES, an outstanding volunteer organisation," Mr Della Bosca said.

"Community Colleges have a sound track record in delivering effective education solutions that benefit individuals and the community.

"The Community Colleges at Casino, Tabulam, Taree and Wagga Wagga already work closely with local Indigenous communities.

"The training offered will be accredited and drawn from the Certificate II in Public Safety, which along with first aid, will provide valuable skills for the workplace as well as situations in which the SES will be called to respond.

"Volunteering is widely recognised as an effective way to build people’s skills and research has shown people who volunteer significantly enhance their prospects of employment.

"This project offers a bridge to local Aboriginal people, welcoming them to mainstream volunteering and building on the strong sense of kinship, family and sharing that is integral to Indigenous communities," Mr Della Bosca said.

Media enquiries

Phyllis Sakinofsky (Minister Burney)
T: 9228 4455
M: 0406 164 034

Karen Smith (Minister Rees)
T: 9228 5050
M: 0409 779 547

Andrew Plumley (Minister Della Bosca)
T: 9228 4777
M: 0438455562