Council & Business
29 April, 2025
Council and local responders come together for first emergency services expo
Emergency services are coming together on Sunday to help locals prepare for the unexpected.
Central Goldfields Shire’s first Emergency Preparation Expo will bring the theme of preparing people, property, and pets to the lawns of the Maryborough Railway Station.
Locals can expect advice and entertainment, including a free sausage sizzle and activities for children, from local emergency services across the free three-hour event.
The Emergency Preparation Expo is co-hosted by local emergency services including the CFA, SES, Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria and Red Cross, representing the different responses to emergencies that occur locally.
Central Goldfields Shire mayor Grace La Vella said it’s important the community is prepared for possible emergencies as they become more frequent.
“Emergencies and disasters are becoming more frequent, and we know from our recent experiences of flood in Carisbrook how devastating they can be,” she said.
“Bringing emergency services together in one place is a very convenient way for people to find out how to plan, prepare and minimise damage and loss should an emergency arise.”
Emergency preparedness officer Genevieve Barlow said beyond the handouts and presentations locals will have the valuable opportunity to talk with emergency responders.
“They can learn what happens in an emergency, they can see the impact by talking directly to the responders, they can draw on the advice of the responders who know what to do and who have seen what happens,” she said.
Cr La Vella said there will be something for everyone on the day, from the shire’s youngest to the oldest.
“The kids can have a ball checking out the police cars and fire engines, while the grown-ups can learn how to better protect them when the time comes,” she said.
The mix of fun and education, to Ms Barlow, is a valuable starting point for a child’s emergency response education.
“Children also can tune-in in really playful ways and start to learn about these things without it being too alarmist,” she said.
Maryborough Fire Brigade Captain Darryl Wagstaff echoes the importance of getting children involved in emergency preparedness.
“If we start off at a young age with school students learning the rights and wrongs of fire preparedness and readiness it flows on to the parents,” he said.
“It’s just really educating the community on what they need to do.”
Joining the expo with a diverse range of vehicles, reflecting the diverse emergencies they respond to, are local SES volunteers echoing the importance of emergency preparedness.
Deputy controller of operations Rachel Mitchell said the expo is an opportunity for the community to prepare for possible emergencies and learn more about what the SES does.
“What we actually are the lead agency for is quite a long list. It’s just to give them an idea of what we actually do because there are still quite a few people that don’t realise the SES don’t go and put fires out,” Ms Mitchell said.
SES’ diverse responses will be reflected in the vehicles present — from a forward operating vehicle full of communications equipment to a rescue boat and trailers.
“Everyone’s welcome to come and talk to us. Remember, we’re the ones in orange,” she said.
Many local emergency responders are volunteers and are always looking for more. The Red Cross, which can be described as ‘second responders’ due to their role after disasters, is just one example.
“Australian Red Cross is undertaking a national recruitment drive this National Volunteer Week with Emergency Services roles available across Australia,” a Red Cross spokesperson said.
“If you have an interest in supporting others before, during and after emergencies visit redcross.org.au to find out more.”
Local Australian Red Cross Emergency Services volunteers will be available to discuss emergency preparedness to help improve community safety and resilience.
“Our volunteers have extensive experience in preparing for and responding to emergencies and have a wealth of knowledge in how you can be better prepared when emergencies happen,” they said.
The expo, to be held between 10 am to 1 pm outside the Maryborough Railway Station, is funded by State Government’s Safer Together program.
Other relevant experts, such as an arborist, will also be present alongside local businesses.