Wear Orange Wednesday is a day of thanks held annually, during National Volunteer Week.
WOW is an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the invaluable contributions of the more than 5000 SES volunteers in Victoria who selflessly serve their communities 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
This year’s WOW holds added meaning as VICSES celebrates its 50th anniversary, marking five decades of dedicated volunteer service to the people of Victoria.
Since 1975, VICSES volunteers have been there in times of crisis — responding to a host of incidents including floods, storms, road crashes, and search and rescue operations.
Since then, the service has grown to include more than 5000 volunteers and 350 staff operating from 154 local units and 16 regional and metropolitan offices across the state.
In the 12 months from May 2024 to May 2025, VICSES Hume region volunteers received more than 3400 requests for assistance, reflecting the increasing demand for emergency services across Victoria.
VICSES Kilmore Unit volunteer Maddy Moncrieff’s affinity for VICSES began more than 200km away, when she joined the Moe Unit as a 20-year-old.
A desire to build her network of like-minded locals inspired Maddy to answer an ad seeking volunteers at the local unit, and Maddy quickly found herself a linchpin of her community and a valued leader among her fellow volunteers, while developing important rescue skills in the process.
Boarding a VICSES truck for the first time, Maddy was immediately hooked by the dynamic situation she found herself in, providing relief to VICSES Warragul Unit as both units supported the township of Drouin following a devastating storm event.
After returning to Melbourne’s north to welcome a daughter into the world, Maddy returned to volunteering last year with the VICSES Kilmore Unit, where she now serves as section leader for community engagement and is responsible for driving awareness of VICSES’ first responders in the local area.
“Having first joined VICSES with no knowledge of the role volunteers played in their community, it’s so rewarding to now be responsible for building resilience and awareness of the role of our volunteers in orange,” she said.
“Building stronger communities is a passion of mine, and I’ve loved working towards that goal alongside other like-minded volunteers.”
How Victorians can show support this WOW Day:
- Wear a splash of orange on Wednesday 21 May.
- Post a thank you message or photo on social media using the hashtag #ThankYouSES.
- Host an orange-themed morning tea or casual dress day at your workplace or school.
- Display posters or banners from the VICSES website.
The best way you can support VICSES’ volunteers is by joining the service and being a part of what its volunteers do best, keeping their communities safe.
VICSES is always on the lookout for new volunteers, with a diversity of roles available for like-minded community members from all walks of life.
There are many ways to get involved, with flexible and inclusive opportunities available for people from all walks of life. For more information, visit www.ses.vic.gov.au/join-us/
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