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Corindi Unit
"The NSW SES can help you develop skills and use the ones you already have.”
Paul Maher has been volunteering with the NSW State Emergency Service for over 50 years. “I don’t see age as an issue. I would rather be occupied.”
His most vivid memory is the Sydney hailstorm in April 1999.
Nicknamed ‘The Mother of all Storms” it’s still costliest natural disaster Australian insurance history. An estimated 500,000 tonnes of hailstones smashed down on Sydney, causing $1.7 billion in damages to homes, cars and businesses.
“I remember volunteers and staff working a rotating roster, 24 hours a day, for two weeks,” Paul said.
“We were responsible for sourcing the majority of the equipment (tarps, ropes etc) that were needed by hundreds of NSW SES Volunteers who were working to help people through the storm.”
Paul is the NSW SES Corindi Unit Controller. He moved from Wollongong to the Coffs Coast in 2008 and has no plans to retire from the NSW SES.
“We have a great little community in the Northern Beaches and fantastic volunteers in the Corindi Unit.
“The SES provides an opportunity to belong to a service that advises and assists residents in a community to prepare and respond to some of the threats that nature can throw at you. SES can help you develop skills and use the ones you already have.”
Thinking about becoming a member like Paul but not sure what you'd like to do? Find out about our various volunteering roles
