SES Leongatha Unit

26/07/2026

At 2 pm tomorrow, Monday the 27th of July, the Australian Federal Government with send a test, Critical Alert test to all compatible mobile devices in Australia.
The AusAlert message will be sent to most phones and some smart watches and tablets.
Devices will vibrate and play a siren-like warning sound for about 10 seconds.
An AusAlert message will appear on device screens. It will clearly say it is a test, and exactly how it appears will depend on your device type and operating system.
What to do if you receive a test alert?
You don’t need to do anything, it's just a test, but in an actual disaster, an AusAlert will likely tell you:
• The type of emergency
• Where it’s located
• How serious it is
• What to do
• The name of the emergency organisation that has sent the AusAlert
• Where to find more information about the emergency.
AusAlert will be launched on October 1st 2026, but before it launches, the system needs to be tested in local communities across Australia and nationally, and that is what tomorrows test is all about.
AusAlert is another way that Emergency Services are helping to keep you safe.

18/07/2026

Looking for something to do in the morning? The weather will be great to get out, enjoy the sunshine and the atmosphere of the market

Why not call past and grab some Egg and Bacon rolls for breakfast.

Sunday is the day, Leongatha!

The stalls are packed, the brass band is tuning up, and breakfast is officially sorted.

We are incredibly proud to host our local SES crew, who will be firing up the BBQ for the community sausage sizzle and much more! Come grab a classic market snag, or other delicious options and support the legends who keep us safe, and enjoy a beautiful morning out.

- Rail Trail Community Market
- Leongatha Railway Precinct
- 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM

15/07/2026

📢 COMMUNITY NOTICE: INCREASED EMERGENCY VEHICLE PRESENCE TONIGHT

Residents in and around Leongatha may notice an increased presence of emergency service vehicles and personnel on our streets this evening.

Please don't be alarmed - there is no current emergency or cause for concern.

🔍 What’s Happening?
Tonight, between 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM, the Leongatha SES Unit, alongside our colleagues from the CFA (Country Fire Authority), will be conducting joint training exercises in the local area.

These exercises are vital for keeping our volunteers highly skilled, coordinated, and ready to respond whenever our community needs us most.

Please drive carefully around training areas and give our volunteers plenty of space to work safely.

We appreciate your patience and ongoing support.

12/07/2026

Huge congratulations to the newest recruits from both Leongatha and SES Foster Unit who absolutely smashed their Fit for Role assessments today! 🧡💪

​An outstanding effort by everyone involved. You showed incredible grit, and dedication out there, proving you are 100% ready to tackle the next phase of your emergency response training.

A massive thank you to the assessors and existing members who gave up their Sunday morning to support the crew. We couldn't be prouder to see our unit growing with locals stepping up to serve the South Gippsland community.

​Drop a comment below to welcome the newest members to the VICSES family and congratulate them on a job well done! 👇👏

07/07/2026

Community Announcement: Upcoming National Mobile Alert Test.

Heads up, Leongatha and surrounds!

A nationwide test of Australia's new emergency alert system, AusAlert, is scheduled for the end of the month.

On Monday, 27 July 2026, a test alert will be sent to mobile devices across the country, including most phones, tablets, and some smart watches.
This is to ensure the system is working correctly before it officially launches in October.

What to expect during the test:
🔊 Your device will play a siren-like warning sound.
📳 It will also vibrate for about 10 seconds.
📱 A message will appear on your screen, which will clearly state that it is a TEST.

The appearance of the alert may vary slightly depending on your device's model and operating system.

There is no need to be alarmed. This is a planned test of the system designed to keep us all informed during future emergencies.

04/07/2026

As the end of another financial year wraps up, it’s time to look back at the incredible dedication shown by the VICSES Leongatha Unit team.

The 2025-26 financial year was a massive undertaking, with our volunteers logging an incredible 1,827 volunteer hours to keep our community safe. From responding to 220 requests for assistance to managing a high volume of storm and road rescue events, our members have been there whenever the call came in.

🧡 It's never too late to join!
Looking at these stats and wondering how you can make a difference in your community? Whether you want to be on the frontline cutting trees and responding to storms, or helping behind the scenes with administration and operations, there is a place for you. It’s never too late to join - come make a difference in 2026-27!

👉 Interested? Send us a message or visit ses.vic.gov.au/volunteer to find out how you can get involved.



Melina Bath MP Danny O'Brien MP South Gippsland Shire Council South Gippsland Sentinel-Times Eyewatch – Bass Coast Police Service Area

03/07/2026

With wet and windy conditions hitting the area today, we are urging all residents to take extra care if you are travelling on the roads.

Our crews have already been active today. This morning, teams attended a scene at Leongatha North where a large tree had fallen and completely blocked the road.

To stay safe on the roads during these conditions:

Drive to the conditions: Slow down, stay focused, and adjust your speed to match the wet roads.

Stay alert for hazards: Look out for dangerous road conditions, including low visibility, fallen or damaged trees, loose debris, and downed powerlines.

Plan an alternative route: Be prepared to change your plans or take an alternative travel route if roads are impacted or blocked.

Never drive through floodwaters: It only takes a small amount of water to make a car unstable, so never attempt to drive, walk, or ride through floodwater.

Stay informed by monitoring the latest weather updates at bom.gov.au and checking emergency alerts via the VicEmergency app, website, or hotline on 1800 226 226.

If you require emergency assistance for storm damage or flooding, call VICSES on 132 500. In a life-threatening emergency, always call Triple Zero (000)

21/06/2026

🤝 TEAMWORK IN ACTION 🤝

Earlier today, our crew was paged to support our neighbours over at the SES Foster Unit assisting the CFA following a house fire in the area.

Once the fire was extinguished, our volunteers got to work on the roof, setting up the Safe Working at height systems to secure the structure and install temporary tarping to protect the property from the elements.

​Incidents like this really highlight how well our local emergency services work together. A huge shoutout to the Foster crew and local CFA brigades for their excellent coordination on scene!

​Great work by all involved.

20/06/2026

Looking for plans tomorrow morning? 🥓🍳
Come down to the Rail Trail Community Market! While you're checking out the local stalls, make sure to swing by the VICSES Leongatha Unit BBQ.

We’ll be cooking up:
Bacon & Egg Rolls (the perfect breakfast)
Sausages (with or without onion - we won't judge your choices!)

Come grab a bite, say g'day to your local volunteers, and support our unit. See you all there! 🧡

05/06/2026

⏰ In an emergency, help may take time to reach you. That’s why it’s important to be prepared to look after yourself, your loved ones, and your pets for the first 72 hours.

Check out the workshop times 👇
https://www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au/homepage/644/first_72_hours_community_workshops

🚨 Introducing The First 72 Hours program

⏰ In an emergency, help may take time to reach you. That’s why it’s important to be prepared to look after yourself, your loved ones, and your pets for the first 72 hours.

📝 The First 72 Hours program is here to help our community get prepared and stay informed with simple, practical steps for emergencies.

✅ Learn how to create an emergency plan, build a kit, understand local risks, and access helpful tools and resources through our local workshops.

⭐ Take the first step towards being emergency ready. Visit our website to explore resources and find a community session near you.

www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au/72HRS