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40 Years of Volunteering and John’s Still Going Strong

on the Thursday, March 24, 2016

RSL Care Carrington resident John Lee is a very special man; he is an active and social member of the residential community but what makes him truly special is the 40 years he has spent volunteering with the State Emergency Service. 

John joined the Australian National Service in 1956 and still has strong connections to the Australian Armed Forces serving as the RSL Salisbury President and RSL Sunnybank Vice President for a number of years.

John later settled with his family in Rocklea but were badly affected by the floods that swept through Brisbane in 1974. He was so in awe of the outpouring of support from the community John wondered how he could ever repay them.

When the Australian Government announced they were creating a voluntary organisation designed to help the public in times of crisis John knew this was the perfect fit for him. His years of military training made him an excellent addition to the service.

In 1975 the State Emergency Service (SES) was formed and John, member number 1864, was one of the first to join up. He says this was his way of saying thank you to the community who had given him so much.

John describes the early years of volunteering with the SES as a ‘make it up as you go along’ project.

“We had to learn what we needed on the job. We went to a home that had been badly damaged by a storm, but we didn’t have any tarps so we had to seal the house with about six army tents roped together,” he said.

“Over the years we got our act together and we able to access a range of different training courses to help us with our work.

“I had specific training in storm and cyclone recovery but I helped out with a number of different issues including floods, fires and the recent Hendra virus.”

One particular incident close to John’s heart is a story of how he helped one family in a very different way.

“A bad storm had struck Ipswich and we were called to a family home that was terribly damaged. I briefly said hello to a young girl sitting in the living room, but she did not respond.

“Half an hour later as I was leaving I noticed the girl was still in the room in the same place. I was able to immediately recognise the young girl was in shock and rang for an ambulance.

“I contacted the family the next day to find out how their daughter was. The family told me their daughter was recovering well however, if she had been another half an hour to hospital the outcome would not have been so positive.”

John even speaks warmly of one of the most difficult tasks an SES worker can be asked to do, a missing person search. He would always offer to assist in finding a missing person where he could. Despite knowing the outcome might not be pleasant he would always try to help give the family closure. With John’s comforting nature he was good at helping families cope with loss and grief.

Today John is still determined to make a difference and jokes that he would be happy to leave his walker behind and climb ladders if they would only let him.

John still provides training to new SES Volunteers today and is eager to assist with peer to peer support and counselling for members who need it.

John’s incredible courage, selflessness and determination have contributed to a safer Queensland over four decades.

John still proudly puts on his bright orange overalls every Monday night and goes to his SES meetings. 

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