In an effort to rally support for our local SES responders dedicated to disaster relief efforts following Cyclone Jasper and subsequent floods, two trivia fundraising events are poised to take centre stage in Port Douglas and Mossman this week.

Despite commendable progress in post-disaster cleanup, ongoing challenges like recent landslides at Noah’s Range underscore the continued need for SES support.

Stephen Bigby, Local Controller at the Mossman unit, emphasised the importance of these fundraising efforts. 

“We are in desperate need of recruits,” he said. “If there’s a possibility to allocate funds towards recruitment efforts, we’ll certainly explore it. We have a wish-list of essential items, such as lockers for quicker response times, and a demountable air-conditioned classroom or similar space for theoretical learning sessions.

“I hope to generate a lot of interest in people joining SES, enabling us to address more of our community's needs autonomously. Relying less on neighbouring units like Buchans Point (Palm Cove) for assistance is crucial, as time may become a scarce resource in emergency situations.”