Seymour’s Australia Day celebrations will highlight how local SES and CFA brigades work together to protect the community during critical events.
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Both agencies rely heavily on local volunteers and you may think you already know about the work they do, having seen them respond to call-outs.
In fact, most emergency service agencies’ time is spent working to prevent disasters, improving response readiness and training to work alongside each other in critical incidents.
Emergency service responders rely on appropriate equipment, specialist knowledge and practical skills which are constantly applied in a versatile combination.
The personal development opportunities for emergency service volunteers are very broad and the diversity of work available provides unique experiences.
Volunteering builds community resilience. Studies have repeatedly shown communities with high levels of volunteering are safer, friendlier and healthier.
So, if you are not able to join our local CFA or SES, does that mean you miss out? Not at all.
Volunteering for any community group will provide exactly the same benefit.
Volunteering, regardless of the community group involved, provides every individual a chance to perform acts of grace and courage, generosity and kindness at both monumental or personal levels.
Joining in asks volunteers to be connected to their community. It is this connectedness which builds personal interest and pride in where we live, creating an observable strength that benefits all.
Volunteering transforms communities. No greater example of how powerful joining together is can be seen in the way Australians have responded to the current bushfire crisis.
So while not all of us will be given the opportunity to protect and save lives as is the case for emergency responders in the SES and CFA, all of us have the opportunity to change lives every time we volunteer to help in a community service organisation.
By Ewan McDonald
Trawool Estate
Trawool Estate are holding two huge events on the Australia Day long weekend.
To celebrate the re-opening of the Trawool Estate pool and support Victorian Bushfire victims, Trawool Estate are throwing The Trapoolside Party on the Sunday of the Australia Day long weekend.
The Trapoolside Party ticket includes bottomless prosecco, rose, selected white and red wines and a variety of local and international beers.
And to ensure you’re never hungry, head of culinary delights Joel Adele will be sending out delicious bites throughout the afternoon.
But it’s never a party without music.
DJs Habitual Wayne and Dean Millson will be playing a range of tropical house, club, deep house, poolside classics and disco tunes to keep you dancing all afternoon.
Transport will be available to bus partygoers to and from Trawool Estate throughout the day between Seymour and Yea and is included in the ticket price.
Tickets are $80 plus a booking fee and include finger food and canapes, bottomless wines and beer, live DJs and transportation to and from Seymour and Yea. This is an 18+ event only.
A donation of $5 from every ticket will go to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal.
It’s on January 26 from 1 pm to 7.30 pm. For tickets or more information, visit trawoolestate.com.au/whatson
Also at Trawool Estate on the Sunday is a long bottomless lunch.
Ramp up your long weekend by getting together with a group of pals and enjoying a long lunch.
It features a glass that is never empty with a lunch surrounded by a group of your favourite people, along with outstanding views of the Trawool Valley.
It’s $35 for set menu plus $25 for two hours of bottomless prosecco, rose, selected white and red wines and tap beer.
Return transport from Seymour and Yea can be pre-purchased when buying a ticket for an additional $10.
There is a minimum of four persons per booking and $5 dollars from the meal will be donated to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal.
This event is not suitable for people under 18.
It’s on Sunday, January 26, from 1 pm to 3 pm. For tickets or more information, visit trawoolestate.com.au/whatson
The Royal Hotel
The Royal Hotel have live entertainment happening across the whole Australia Day weekend.
The action kicks off on Saturday afternoon and goes into the evening with Band of Brothers, who are back by request.
Then on Sunday from 12.30 pm to 5 pm, the Country/Bluegrass Music Club will entertain guests and on Monday in the beer garden there will be live Australian music.
You can also join the social club and buy tickets in the mega raffle - all proceeds to go to the bushfire appeal.
Book your table to avoid missing out on three huge days of live entertainment and celebrations.
For more information, call the Royal Hotel on 5792 1004.
Journalist