Today I traveled from the Sunshine Coast to Gympie to receive a clasp for my medal for 25 years of service for the State Emergency Service in Queensland. It was a an honour To be recognized in this way for all the times I got a phone call dropped what I was doing and ran out the door to do Traffic Control, Storm Damage Operations, Land Searches, Flood Boat Operations etc etc.
Some were a real pleasure to do and the rewards were obvious and others well at least it was a comfort to know that we brought closure to traumatized families
The changes this year in my life have been pretty big. Finished working at the end of last year as a teachers aide (24 years) Bought our first little caravan. Did our first trip down to Northern Victoria to visit family. Resigned from SES.
Generally sitting back and taking life a much slower pace. Feeling happier and healthier for it.
I have been reading this forum lots posting occasionally but learning heaps about how everyone is finding a niche for themselves in retirement and realizing it is Ok to travel full time or occasionally.
Your posts and comments have helped me with processing these big decisions and major changes in my life
Jen I thank you for your public service, the SES are really something special.
Hope to see you out in the mulga one day.
moamajohn said
08:22 PM Oct 18, 2014
Well done young lady ! See the good folk in this world still get recognised.Enjoy the years ahead of you .Cheers John .
KFT said
08:36 PM Oct 18, 2014
Wonderful to see you rewarded for your commitment to helping your community this way.
Congratulations, a well earned award.
frank
Big Gorilla said
08:51 PM Oct 18, 2014
Congratulations Jennifer. The SES area group I have long admired. They work tirelessly to help their fellow man. I've followed their work closely, particularly in the bush fires in Tasmania. You are a hero.....
jules47 said
08:52 PM Oct 18, 2014
Congratulations on your award - it is good when other people see the good things you are doing, and nominate you for the honour.
Take care
Glenelg said
05:15 AM Oct 19, 2014
well done, hope you enjoy your retirement, congrats on your reward. unsung heros .
Dougwe said
07:16 AM Oct 19, 2014
CONGRATULATIONS Jen, well done. Be proud of your achievements. Enjoy YOUR time now.
-- Edited by Dougwe on Sunday 19th of October 2014 07:17:05 AM
GaryKelly said
07:32 AM Oct 19, 2014
Thank goodness for people like you, Jen.
Kendo said
07:42 AM Oct 19, 2014
Kudos! Jen
Thankyou very much for your time and commitment.
Jeff
beiffe said
08:25 AM Oct 19, 2014
Congratulations Jen on not only your recognition but the fact that you have done the service and you are happy in that service to the community and I bet lots of people were happy you were there when needed.
The role of the volunteer is not really recognised as only a few get the honor of the medals so your contribution must have been really appreciated, but many of us are able to enjoy the satisfaction of being there to help.
It is nice to be recognised for passing on your skills and knowledge to others as that is a rare skill.
I am sure the bug will bitet on the road and there are lots of places where you can stop for a while and again volunteer as you move around.
I am sure your wisdom would be appreciated at many camps giving support after emergencies.
I hope you now can travel and reap the rewards of your lives work.
Regards
Brian
Grams said
08:33 AM Oct 19, 2014
A huge congratulations Jennifer and an even bigger thank you, if it weren't for people like you many more lives would be lost. Now it's time to relax and see the country you live in, enjoy every moment.
Grams
Santa said
09:19 AM Oct 19, 2014
Congratulations Jennifer, 25 years of service is quite a commitment.
kandagal said
11:21 AM Oct 19, 2014
I would like to give you a pat on the back too for all your good efforts. Well done. Alice
justcruisin01 said
12:01 PM Oct 19, 2014
Congratulations a a big thank you for you services.
Enjoy the retirement.
JC.
Friar Park said
01:59 PM Oct 19, 2014
Jen, having lived in the blue mountains for several years and gone through a number of quite serious and threatening fire emergencies i am aware of the value of the SES. I thank you and your colleagues for your service. Hope you thoroughly enjoy your time ahead.
Jenzarl said
03:26 PM Oct 19, 2014
Thanks for the comments. I got so much pleasure from helping people. On top of that the skills I gained from training for competencies has been a huge boost to my self confidence
copper1 said
07:04 PM Oct 19, 2014
If more people like you, gave of there time. The world would be a much better place so thank you, for your service and enjoy the next phase of your life.
-- Edited by copper1 on Sunday 19th of October 2014 08:12:10 PM
moamajohn said
07:53 PM Oct 19, 2014
See I am a simple guy ,However ,I am like all of you . I am humbled to see what a real nice lady does to our little world .In saying this it makes me feel good to read the compliments and think that ....... well frankly sometimes folk bitch about the most pathetic things on our forum don,t they ? But in this case it is wonderful that we are so happy for a real nice person that simply puts in ! Cheers John
Blue said
08:33 PM Oct 19, 2014
congratulations..
at least they recognise your service...
when taking discharge from the Defence Forces, all they do is show you the door..
Bryan said
10:01 PM Oct 19, 2014
Congratulations Jen but most of all thank God there are people like you, ready to drop everything to help their fellow human being in need.
Imagine what the world would be like with more people like you around.
the rocket said
11:04 AM Oct 21, 2014
Well done Jennifer. you deserve it.
ken thomas said
03:12 PM Oct 21, 2014
Congratulations, many would not last that long
Jules you better cover up
Ken
Moonraker said
02:06 AM Oct 23, 2014
Congratulations
You have served your community well.
All the best for a long and happy retirement.
Vic41 said
01:37 AM Oct 24, 2014
Well done Jen and congratulations on your award, the SES and other emergency services volunteers are legends IMHO, I hope you enjoy your retirement.
Today I traveled from the Sunshine Coast to Gympie to receive a clasp for my medal for 25 years of service for the State Emergency Service in Queensland. It was a an honour To be recognized in this way for all the times I got a phone call dropped what I was doing and ran out the door to do Traffic Control, Storm Damage Operations, Land Searches, Flood Boat Operations etc etc.
Some were a real pleasure to do and the rewards were obvious and others well at least it was a comfort to know that we brought closure to traumatized families
The changes this year in my life have been pretty big. Finished working at the end of last year as a teachers aide (24 years) Bought our first little caravan. Did our first trip down to Northern Victoria to visit family. Resigned from SES.
Generally sitting back and taking life a much slower pace. Feeling happier and healthier for it.
I have been reading this forum lots posting occasionally but learning heaps about how everyone is finding a niche for themselves in retirement and realizing it is Ok to travel full time or occasionally.
Your posts and comments have helped me with processing these big decisions and major changes in my life
Hope to see you out in the mulga one day.
Congratulations, a well earned award.
frank
Congratulations Jennifer. The SES area group I have long admired. They work tirelessly to help their fellow man. I've followed their work closely, particularly in the bush fires in Tasmania. You are a hero.....
Take care
CONGRATULATIONS Jen, well done. Be proud of your achievements. Enjoy YOUR time now.
-- Edited by Dougwe on Sunday 19th of October 2014 07:17:05 AM
Kudos! Jen
Thankyou very much for your time and commitment.
Jeff
The role of the volunteer is not really recognised as only a few get the honor of the medals so your contribution must have been really appreciated, but many of us are able to enjoy the satisfaction of being there to help.
It is nice to be recognised for passing on your skills and knowledge to others as that is a rare skill.
I am sure the bug will bitet on the road and there are lots of places where you can stop for a while and again volunteer as you move around.
I am sure your wisdom would be appreciated at many camps giving support after emergencies.
I hope you now can travel and reap the rewards of your lives work.
Regards
Brian
Grams
Congratulations Jennifer, 25 years of service is quite a commitment.
Congratulations a a big thank you for you services.
Enjoy the retirement.
JC.
Jen, having lived in the blue mountains for several years and gone through a number of quite serious and threatening fire emergencies i am aware of the value of the SES. I thank you and your colleagues for your service. Hope you thoroughly enjoy your time ahead.
Thanks for the comments. I got so much pleasure from helping people. On top of that the skills I gained from training for competencies has been a huge boost to my self confidence
If more people like you, gave of there time. The world would be a much better place so thank you, for your service and enjoy the next phase of your life.
-- Edited by copper1 on Sunday 19th of October 2014 08:12:10 PM
congratulations..
at least they recognise your service...
when taking discharge from the Defence Forces, all they do is show you the door..
Imagine what the world would be like with more people like you around.
Well done Jennifer. you deserve it.
Jules you better cover up
Ken
You have served your community well.
All the best for a long and happy retirement.
Well done Jen and congratulations on your award, the SES and other emergency services volunteers are legends IMHO, I hope you enjoy your retirement.