This year marks 50 years of continuous dedicated service of Rochester VICSES to the community.

The contributions of the unit were acknowledged with a dinner on Saturday, August 2.

In 1974, a group of local volunteers saw the need for a local emergency response crew, starting out with minimal resources and self-funding.

Deputy unit controller Judith Gledhill highlighted the value of the volunteers’ contributions since the unit’s formation.

“VICSES Rochester Unit volunteers have played a vital role in supporting their community, over the last 50 years, and we look forward to overcoming the challenges of the next 50,” she said.

Over its 50 years, the unit has welcomed 174 members, including 18 active members in 2025.

These volunteers have responded to 485 tree-down incidents, 143 road crash rescues, and numerous other emergencies involving building damage, searches, animal rescues and assisting agency call-outs over the past 15 years.

Their help has been crucial during major flood events in 1974, 1975, 1983, 1992, 1993, 2010, 2011, 2022 and 2024.

The October 2022 floods were particularly challenging for members, responding to 350 call-outs and performing 200 flood rescues, as well as sand-bagging and relocating operations.

Many volunteers were also impacted the community on a personal level, working hard to protect their communities and their own houses.

“During the October 2022 floods, my own home was flooded, as were several of our volunteers’, but we just moved forward with the work and tried not to think about what was happening at home,” unit controller Tim Williams said.

“The dedication of our volunteers at the time was unwavering. I’m so proud to be celebrating 50 years, the work we do here is vital.

“The spirit of the community has been extraordinary; volunteering their time and resources, and making things happen.

“We couldn’t be more pleased with the response.”

Members have also partnered with the Rochester Lions Club to deliver the Driver Reviver program, one of the first of its kind in Victoria.

A special presentation for top volunteers past and present was made at the dinner, with the Major family, including Ken, June, Glenn and Reg Ellis, thanked for their 50 years of continuous service to VICSES.

Their support will be marked at the new CFA and SES facility, set to be completed in late 2026, with the ‘Major Operations Room’.

The team is excited to use the new and improved space.

“Our volunteers are incredibly hard-working, dedicated and highly trained, and once this new facility is complete, we look forward to welcoming more volunteers through the doors,” Mrs Gledhill said.

“The new facility will reflect our volunteers’ commitment to their community and help strengthen local emergency capability well into the future.

New members are always welcome at Rochester VICSES to support more frequent and damaging weather events.

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