SES Whitehorse Unit

25/08/2026

Last Sunday we were on Yarra River doing Rescue Boat Skills Maintenance training, while practicing we got a pager message and all boats were diverted to assist police with an on water incident on the Yarra near the Botanical Gardens.

Video below of training to hold a stationary position in running water. Just downstream of Dight Falls.

SES Whitehorse Unit with SES Frankston Unit SES Maroondah Unit SES Port Phillip Unit SES Wyndham West Unit SES Monash Unit SES Footscray Unit

Our thanks the the training facilitators Victoria State Emergency Service

Whitehorse City Council City of Boroondara

24/08/2026

23/08/2026

Congratulations to the 2025 VicSES recruits on successfully completing their CML-2 (Crew Member Level 2) training and assessment. Well done on this important achievement!

Become a Volunteer: https://www.ses.vic.gov.au/join-us/volunteer
For any assistance call VICSES on 13 2500. For life-threatening emergencies, always call Triple Zero (000).

19/08/2026

Out searching

18/08/2026

Damaging winds are expected across Greater Melbourne and the central ranges tomorrow morning, Wednesday 19 August 2026.

📍 Central ranges
Winds averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of around 90 km/h are possible from early Wednesday morning.

📍 Greater Melbourne
After sunrise, these winds may extend into Melbourne and parts of the Mornington and Bellarine Peninsulas.

🕝 Conditions are expected to ease by the afternoon.

You should prepare tonight:
🚗 Park your car undercover.
☂️ Secure outdoor furniture, umbrellas and trampolines.
📲 Stay informed by creating a watch zone on the VicEmergency app.

Take care when travelling tomorrow morning. For emergency storm assistance, like fallen trees on roads or blocking access, call the Victoria State Emergency Service on 132 500.

17/08/2026

Not just the work that we do to support the community, nor the training, its also about proving we are up to the task. In this case swimming tests, in the gear that we work in. Last Monday at Aqualink Boxhill

Whitehorse City Council, City of Boroondara Victoria State Emergency Service

09/08/2026

A massive weekend just past !! Whitehorse SES also took part in multi day simulation on Lake Eppalock.

We faced 2 scenarios repeated for different crews over both days; the first a light plane crash with 3 missing persons in water and on land and the second, reports of cars driven into the lake potentially with persons trapped.

How we responded: Whitehorse SES sent both land search members and a boat crew to be part of the 120 SES volunteers working with Victoria Police, including Search and Rescue and Mounted branch, Marine Search and Rescue organizations, CFA (Country Fire Authority) and Australian Search and Rescue K9 and FRV.

Why: These exercises, are about readiness, readiness to respond in an emergency to serve the community. Encouraged to treat the event as a real life incident, it is not just about practicing our skills it is also about learning how we all work together - as one.

A massive thank you to the VICSES Command and trainers for putting it all together and all the other agencies that took part.

While this post was about Eppalock, a shout out to our other Whitehorse SES members who at the same time continued their rigorous alpine training in what would have been really challenging conditions in the high country.

Victoria State Emergency Service Victoria Police CFA (Country Fire Authority)
Whitehorse City Council City of Boroondara

03/08/2026

It's National Missing Persons Week - a time to raise awareness of the issues surrounding missing persons, as well as attempts to reduce the number and the impact of missing persons in Australia.

VICSES volunteers play a crucial role in supporting Victoria Police in search operations across the state. They are highly trained to navigate specialised terrain in remote and harsh environments. Find out more about search and rescue roles at VICSES on our website: www.ses.vic.gov.au/join-us/volunteeropportunities/search-and-rescue

25/07/2026

This is tomorrow !

Driving during the test, mobile phone laws still apply.

The AusAlert national test is happening on Monday 27 July at 2pm, sending emergency messages to compatible mobile devices, tablets and smart watches.

It will use vibration, sound and on-screen messages to get your attention, and may also play through your vehicle’s speakers using Apple CarPlay, Android Auto or Bluetooth - interrupting navigation or media like music or podcasts.

If you are driving or riding, stay calm and don’t touch your device. Only check the message when your vehicle is turned off and it is safe and legal to do so.

For more information, visit www.ausalert.gov.au/community-resources