23/06/2026
Across 13 years of volunteering with Tasmania State Emergency Service, Sue Kelder says the positive experiences have far exceeded anything she expected.
“The SES has helped me grow in ways I never imagined. I’ve learned new skills, taken on leadership roles and had experiences I never thought I’d have, including working on major operations and even flying in a helicopter,” Sue says.
“It hasn’t always been easy. There are long hours, tough conditions and sometimes emotional situations. But even during those difficult moments, you’re surrounded by an amazing team, and the camaraderie gets you through.
“Most importantly, I discovered how meaningful it is to support the community when they really need us.”
Sue’s journey in the SES began when a friend, who was already an SES volunteer, encouraged her to join the Launceston unit.
After ‘learning the ropes’ for two years, Sue was appointed in 2015 as Deputy Unit Manager of the Incident Management Unit, North.
In October 2017, she was appointed as the IMU Unit Manager North and continues in this role today.
“What keeps me going is being there for people during some of the most challenging moments of their lives, during storms, floods, searches and other emergencies. Knowing that what we do, genuinely helps people when they need it most, is incredibly powerful,” Sue says.
Tasmania SES is celebrating its 50-year milestone in 2026, with the official anniversary recognised on June 21.
Tasmania SES came into being in June 1976, replacing the Civil Defence and Emergency Services, which had operated through the 1960s and early 1970s.
“The SES has been incredibly important to Tasmania and its residents for many years,” Sue says.
“We’re often the ones people turn to during some of the most stressful and frightening moments of their lives … our role is about keeping the community safe, supporting other emergency services, and being there when people need help the most.
“I’ve been with the SES for 13 years and from my own experience in that time, I’ve seen a lot of change.
“Our unit’s processes and systems have evolved, the way we manage operations has become more streamlined, and we’ve seen staff and volunteers come and go for all sorts of reasons. Each change brings it challenges, but it also brings growth.
“What hasn’t changed is our commitment to getting the job done when the community needs us. No matter how many adjustments we go through – new systems, new faces new ways of working - when a crisis hits, everyone pulls together.
“That resilience and adaptability is one of the things I’m most proud of in the SES.”
Are you interested in becoming an SES volunteer?
Find out more at www.ses.tas.gov.au/volunteer/register-your-interest/ or contact your nearest SES Regional Headquarters.
