General News
22 May, 2026
Volunteering keeps region alive
Warracknabeal SES volunteer Michael Evans has spent 15 years serving his local community, after the 2010-11 floods showed him how much regional towns rely on volunteers in emergencies.
Michael said he first became involved with the SES after seeing the pressure on local emergency crews during the Warracknabeal flood event.
“During the 2010-11 flood event in Warracknabeal, as a council worker, we received assistance from our local unit,” he said.
“During that encounter, I asked about their membership numbers, being informed that they needed more numbers.
“So, I signed up soon after the event.”
Since then, Mr Evans has remained actively involved with the Warracknabeal SES, while also volunteering with the Warrack Eagles Football Club and the Warracknabeal Anzac Park Trustees.
His volunteer work has included helping relocate the SES unit to the old CFA station in Warracknabeal, supporting street parades and town Christmas functions, and staffing information stands at the local show.
Mr Evans said volunteering gives him a strong sense of purpose and connection to his town.
“Volunteering gives me a personal feeling that I am achieving my goal to give back to my local community for everything it has given me,” he said.
For Mr Evans, the motivation is simple: he wants Warracknabeal to remain a strong, well-supported community for future generations.
“Wanting our small local town to be able to provide services, sporting opportunities and great facilities for our future generations, which it provided me growing up,” he said.
Across his years of service, Michael said the greatest reward has been seeing volunteers continue to turn out when people need help.
“For SES, it’s knowing that we still have a crew of volunteers that can attend call-outs and assist people in times of need,” he said.
He said challenging call-outs can take an emotional toll, but he focuses on the positive outcomes and talks through the experience with fellow volunteers.
“I always take the positives away from what’s been achieved and discuss them with my fellow volunteers who were with me during the event,” he said.
Mr Evans said the appreciation from community members often stays with him after a call-out.
“No specific moment, but just how people are so appreciative, that we as a SES unit have turned out to help them when they are in need,” he said.
However, Mr Evans has also noticed a worrying decline in volunteer numbers, particularly in rural areas.
“I have noticed a drop in volunteerism, which is increasing the risk of rural SES units not being able to provide a service to the community moving forward,” he said.
“Which is a shame.”
Despite the challenges, Mr Evans continues to encourage people to get involved, saying local volunteers play a vital role in keeping small towns safe, active and connected.