Going back to the start

They have families and they have full-time jobs, but they choose to spend their time volunteering to help the community, assisting others in tragic — and at times fatal — circumstances.

It all started in 1971 following a series of tragedies in the region, when a handful of concerned citizens grouped together.

It was decided a change was needed — and fast.

The concept of a rescue group was put to local police and ambulance officers, and was received wholeheartedly by all.

The group began by assisting in body recovery diving, then moved to providing light sources for emergency services at night-time scenes across the region.

More than 50 years later, the Shepparton-based volunteer rescue organisation is one of two independent rescue units in the whole state recognised by the Victorian Government.

While the group receives a small amount of funding from the Victorian Government, SS&RS is operated by crucial funds delivered from several different avenues.

These include but are not limited to the Traffic Accident Commission, Greater Shepparton City Council, RACV, service and community groups from the local district, fundraising, raffles and donations.

Over the years, the group had to get creative in sourcing integral capital — and so came the iconic fluorescent yellow Shepparton Show bags and the miniature train, open to rides for a gold coin.

In more than five decades of community service and operational activities, SS&RS has purchased more than $1,750,000 of equipment, including rescue equipment, lighting, boats and dive gear that has been made available to help the community.

“Combine this with the incalculable value of the hours spent training, attending call-outs, meetings and the designing and building of vehicles and headquarters,” Shepparton Search and Rescue Squad vice-president Michael D’Elia said.

“The true value to the community is truly astounding,” he said.

“Since its inception, SS&RS has always enjoyed the full support of the Victoria Police, Rural Ambulance Victoria, Country Fire Authority, Victoria State Emergency Service and a range of other agencies, including many other rescue units throughout Victoria and NSW.

“Our working model with other volunteers is extremely strong and we value all of the volunteers in our community, we believe that we have a very strong, vibrant, image within our local community and are held in high regard by all.”

Across five decades, the squad has attended all kinds of serious incidents in the area where trauma, human life and property were threatened.

In many cases the squad’s actions have minimised the effects of trauma and injury and saved lives.

“A body recovery is not an achievement, it’s a job,” squad member Stan Jezewski said.

“But if you actually pull somebody out of a a vehicle and they’re touch and go, then in six months they’re walking and thanking you — you just think wow.”

Twenty-five members make up the squad — some are life members with decades of service racked up, earning themselves Emergency Service medals for all their dedication, while others are fresh faces.

Either way, the squad ensures all its members are both looked after and appreciated.

Each year a volunteer is recognised with what once was the Shepparton Search and Rescue Squad Member of the Year Award.

In honour of life members, in 2016 the award was renamed the Jezewski Family Member of the Year Award, to recognise the dedication, devotion to duty and unparalleled service provided to SS&RS by members Stan and the late Edward Jezewski and their families.

The award is voted on by squad members throughout the year and recognises the hard work that a member does for the squad in any capacity.

More than 50 years of operations has seen more than 50 volunteers come through the SS&RS.

“I think we’ve done that really well, we’ve been going for a long time,” Stan said.

“And on some really, really difficult jobs. Some are very on the edge of dangerous, but I think as a group we’re going well, we’re like a big family really.”