Paddy was hatched a few years ago (he doesn't know exactly when, as his family did not have access to a calendar at the time) and spent his first months of life curled up near his mother in a nest along one of the coastal rivers in New South Wales. Before he was a year old, he was on his own and doing what platypuses do: foraging for food and digging tunnels and burrows.
Not too long after his first birthday, Paddy was caught up in one of the floods that often affect rivers in New South Wales. As his home river continued to rise, and the water ran more swiftly, he managed to fight his way into a billabong. Hungry and exhausted, he sheltered there and waited for the flood to subside.
During the day and a half he spent in the billabong, Paddy heard the motors of boats going by. This didn't strike him as unusual, as his river was popular with boaters. These boats were driven by people wearing orange overalls and serious expressions -- hardly the normal holiday appearance. He watched the people in orange overalls rescue those who, like him, were stranded by the flood. He saw them delivering medicine and other essentials to families isolated by flood water. He even watched them save someone who had tried to cross a nearby creek in a four-wheel-drive.
It was then that Paddy decided he wanted to help. He saw that the boats had "State Emergency Service" painted on them, so once the flood had well and truly receded, he showed up at his local SES Unit and asked if he could volunteer, too. The Local Controller told him that he'd be able to join as a probationary volunteer while he learned about the SES and started to practice the skills he'd need.
Paddy found he was a natural as an SES volunteer. He was keen and reliable. He knew lots about his own river, and about how floods can behave. Soon, he found he had another talent: he was great at helping people to learn and remember the things they could do to stay safer in floods and storms. Kids loved him, and so did their parents. He began to visit schools, shopping centres and shows. Paddy's career as the SES mascot had begun.
Today Paddy travels around New South Wales, helping SES volunteers across the state spread the message that there are simple things everyone can do to stay safer in severe weather.
Paddy's best mate, PRIME Possum, loves working with Paddy. "He's not just a good friend, he's also a good volunteer," she says. "Everyone relies on him, and he never lets us down."
For more information on storm and flood safety, Paddy says, "Call the SES Info Line on 1 800 201 000. We'll send you the information you need".
