NSW SES Wingecarribee Unit

06/09/2026

VERTICAL RESCUE | Mount Murray / Macquarie Pass

At approximately 10:30 PM last night, volunteers from NSW SES Wingecarribee Unit and NSW SES Moss Vale Unit were activated alongside NSW Ambulance to a vertical rescue at Mount Murray, located at the top of Macquarie Pass.

A woman in her 30s had fallen several metres from a cliff ledge and became trapped in a narrow gap within the steep escarpment.

SES rescue operators worked with NSW Ambulance Special Operations Paramedics, who abseiled down into the darkness to access the patient and provide immediate clinical assessment.

Operating late into the night, crews coordinated technical rope systems to ensure the vertical haul was executed smoothly and safely.
The patient was successfully brought to safety, treated by waiting paramedics, and thankfully avoided serious injury, returning home safely.

Incidents like this highlight the vital role of inter-agency collaboration and the continuous technical training undertaken by our local SES volunteers.

NSW SES
NSW SES South Eastern Zone
NSW SES Moss Vale Unit

The Hume Police District
NSW Ambulance

04/09/2026

⚠️ Severe Weather Warning ⚠️

for DAMAGING WINDS 💨🍃💨 🍃

Illawarra and parts of South Coast, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, South West Slopes, Snowy Mountains and Australian Capital Territory Forecast Districts.📍

Issued at 9:25 am EST on Friday 4 September 2026

Damaging winds developing in the southeast on Saturday

Weather Situation:📋
A strong west to northwesterly flow will develop during early Saturday morning ahead of a cold front that will sweep over southern parts of the state during the day. Winds will tend westerly during Saturday evening in the wake of the front.

For parts of the BLUE MOUNTAINS, SNOWY MOUNTAINS and southern parts of the ACT: DAMAGING WINDS averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts around 100 km/h are forecast to develop around sunrise on Saturday morning. For alpine areas above 1900 metres DAMAGING WINDS averaging 80 to 90 km/h are possible from the early morning.

For the ILLAWARRA, SOUTH COAST and northern parts of the COASTAL RANGES: Strong winds averaging 50 to 60 km/h with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS around 90 km/h are forecast to develop from the late morning.

BLIZZARD conditions are possible over alpine areas above 1900 metres during from mid afternoon until early evening.

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service recommends that back country travel be postponed until conditions improve.

Winds are expected to ease throughout the warning area late Saturday afternoon or early evening.

Locations which may be affected include Wollongong, Nowra, Bowral, Katoomba, Kiama, Ulladulla, Lithgow, Oberon, Nerriga, Mount Ginini, Jindabyne and Thredbo.

🟧⬜️🟧 The State Emergency Service advises that people should:

* Park your car under secure cover and away from trees, powerlines and drains.
* Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.
* Keep at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.
* Report fallen power lines to either Endeavour Energy (131 003), or as shown on your power bill.

‼️If you require assistance during floods and storms, dial 132 500.
🚨In a life threatening emergency, call 000🚨

Keep up to date with the Bureau of Meteorology: http://www.bom.gov.au/nsw/warnings/

19/08/2026

SEARCH & RESCUE OPERATION UPDATE | DAY 8 | HIGH RANGE

Now moving into day 8 of this extensive search effort, NSW SES volunteers and specialist crews continue working 24/7 alongside the NSW Police Force and partner agencies in the ongoing operation to locate missing 18-year-old Lily Hooper.

Over 280 NSW SES volunteers and specialist personnel have rotated through this operation since last week. Our Remote Area Bush Search and Rescue teams are continuing to navigate exceptionally steep drops, dense undergrowth, and complex clifflines across Nattai National Park to ensure every search grid is thoroughly covered.

We are deeply grateful for the overwhelming support shown by the community, but we reiterate NSW Police and family advice: due to the hazardous, remote terrain, please leave all on-ground searching to trained emergency personnel and defence search teams.

How the community can support the operation:

*Stay Alert: Anyone living in, working around, or travelling through the High Range, Wanganderry, or Southern Highlands areas is urged to stay observant.

*Review Dashcam & CCTV: Motorists who travelled near the Bonnum Pic trail area or Wanganderry Road around Wednesday, 12 August, or over the past week, please check for any footage that may assist investigators.

*Check Rural Properties: Local landholders are asked to inspect boundary fencing, outbuildings, sheds, and water sources on their acreage.

⚠️ CRITICAL – DO NOT POST SIGHTINGS OR INTEL IN COMMENTS:

All operational sightings or information must be reported directly to authorities immediately:
Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or online via nsw.crimestoppers.com.au
Moss Vale Police Station: (02) 4869 7899
Urgent/Active Sightings: Call Triple Zero (000) straight away.

Our thoughts remain with Lily’s family during this difficult time. We sincerely thank the community for your continued support, patience, and cooperation as our crews maintain this around-the-clock effort, and we ask everyone to please continue staying clear of active search zones due to the hazardous terrain.

For full descriptions, images, and official updates, please visit the NSW Police Force page.

NSW SES Wollondilly Unit
NSW SES Moss Vale Unit
NSW SES Bush Search and Rescue Unit
NSW SES Mosman Unit
NSW SES Dapto Unit
NSW SES Wollongong Unit
NSW SES South Eastern Zone
VRA Rescue NSW
NSW Rural Fire Service
NSW Ambulance
The Hume Police District
Defence Australia

18/08/2026

17/08/2026

SEARCH & RESCUE OPERATION UPDATE | HIGH RANGE

Our volunteers and teams continue to operate 24/7 alongside the NSW Police Force and partner emergency services in the intensive search for missing 18-year-old Lily Hooper, who is from Oakdale and was last seen in the High Range area.

Across the operation, more than 200 NSW SES personnel have deployed to the field, working around the clock alongside specialist Remote Area Bush Search and Rescue operators to navigate the dense, steep, and demanding bushland terrain around Nattai National Park.

At the High Range Forward Command Post, emergency services remain fully integrated and working side by side to bring Lily home.

How the community can assist:

*Stay Alert: If you are travelling through or living around High Range, the Southern Highlands, or nearby trailheads (including the Bonnum Pic area), please remain vigilant.

*Review Footage & Outbuildings: Local residents and motorists are encouraged to check dashcams, private CCTV, sheds, and rural acreage boundaries.

⚠️ CRITICAL - PLEASE DO NOT REPORT SIGHTINGS IN THE COMMENTS:

Operational reports and sightings must go straight to investigators immediately.

Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or online via nsw.crimestoppers.com.au
Immediate/Active Sightings: Call Triple Zero (000) straight away.

Please refer to the shared NSW Police Force post for official descriptions, photos, and key details.

Thank you to the entire community for your continued support of our search crews.

15/08/2026

SPONTANEOUS VOLUNTEERING - Land Search for Lily Hooper

The NSW SES is receiving a large amount of interest from members of the public wanting to support the search for Lily Hooper.

We can advise, after consultation with NSW Police as the combat agency for Land Search and Rescue, that at this stage, we won’t require additional resources from members of the public.

Access to the search area is restricted to Emergency Service personnel to ensure the safety of all involved.

NSW Police are coordinating a major, multi-agency response, with a large number of emergency service personnel in the field.

If you have information relating to Lily Hooper or her whereabouts, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000

NSW Police Force
The Hume Police District

15/08/2026

SEARCH & RESCUE OPERATION UPDATE | NATTAI NATIONAL PARK

The NSW SES Southern Highlands Cluster remains heavily committed on the ground, working 24/7 alongside the NSW Police Force and partner emergency services in the intensive search for missing 18-year-old Lily Hooper.

Right now, we have over 20 of our dedicated personnel deployed in the field. This includes specialist Remote Area Bush Search and Rescue operators, who are navigating dense, rugged, and challenging bushland terrain throughout the Nattai National Park to cover critical ground.

Our operators and specialist teams have been working around the clock for a number of days, and we are asking our local community to back our efforts by keeping an eye out.

How you can assist:

Stay Alert: If you live in, work around, or have travelled through High Range, Bonnum Pic Walking Trail or the broader Nattai National Park, please stay vigilant.

Check Dashcams & Properties: If you live locally or drove through the area recently, please review any dashcam or CCTV footage and check outbuildings or acreage perimeters.

⚠️ CRITICAL - PLEASE DO NOT REPORT SIGHTINGS IN THE COMMENTS:

Operational reports and sightings must go straight to investigators immediately.

Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or online via nsw.crimestoppers.com.au
Immediate/Active Sightings: Call Triple Zero (000) straight away.

Please see the original NSW Police Force post shared below for full physical descriptions, clothing details, and official imagery.

Thank you for your continued support as our teams work to bring Lily home.

14/08/2026

MISSING PERSON SEARCH - NATTAI NATIONAL PARK

NSW SES land search and rescue operators, alongside partner agencies are continuing to support the NSW Police Force in the ongoing multi-agency search for missing 18-year-old bushwalker Lily Hooper.

Our dedicated operators have been on the ground assisting around the clock, working 24/7 across rugged terrain to help bring Lily home safe.

How you can help:

* If you live in, are visiting, or have recently travelled through the Oakdale, Nattai National Park, or surrounding Southern Highlands areas, please keep an eye out and check your property and dashcam footage.

* Please do not leave sighting details or reports in the comments of this post.

Report any sightings or information immediately to Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000
nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.

(If it is an immediate emergency or active sighting, call Triple Zero 000)

Please see the original NSW Police Force post linked below for full physical description and details.

06/08/2026

🟧 NSW SES – Many People, Many Stories 🟧

Every time the call comes in, every time help is needed, there’s a volunteer behind the response — a real person with a real story. 🧡

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents juggling family life
🔧 Tradies finishing a long day on the tools
🎓 Students searching for purpose
🧓 Retirees wanting to give back

Ordinary people choosing to do extraordinary things for their community.

And on Tuesday, 11 August, we’d love you to meet them. 🤝✨
📍 1A Bowman Road, Moss Vale
⏰ 6:30pm
📆 Tuesday, 11 August 2026

Come along to our Recruitment Night and hear the journeys that brought people into the orange — what made them step forward, what they’ve learned, and the moments that changed them. 🟧💭

Discover how volunteering became more than service — it became belonging. 💛
You’ll get a behind the scenes look at what we do, the skills you can learn, and the impact you can make (even if you’ve never done anything like this before).

If you’ve ever wondered whether you could be part of the NSW SES… come find out. 👣

Bring a friend. Bring your curiosity. Bring your community spirit. 🌟

🟧 Volunteering isn’t just service — it’s belonging. And your story could be the next one we tell. 📖✨

NSW SES
NSW SES South Eastern Zone
NSW SES Moss Vale Unit

03/08/2026

🟧 Discover What You’re Capable Of with the NSW SES 🟧

Growth. Purpose. Community.

Most people join the NSW SES because they want to help others… But what they don’t expect is how much it gives back to them.

Volunteering with the SES isn’t just about storms, rescues, or emergencies — it’s about discovering strengths you didn’t know you had, building skills you never thought you’d learn, and finding a team that feels like family.

Maybe you’ve been looking for:
✨ A new challenge
✨ A sense of purpose
✨ A way to give back
✨ A community to belong to
✨ A chance to grow your confidence and capability

You’ll find all of that — and more.

On Tuesday 11th August, come see what’s possible:

📍 1A Bowman Road, Moss Vale
🕕 6:30pm
📅 Tuesday, 11 August 2026

Come meet the team, explore the gear, ask your questions, and see what’s possible. If you’ve been waiting for a sign… this is it.

Your next chapter might start right here.

NSW SES
NSW SES South Eastern Zone
NSW SES Moss Vale Unit