REPRESENTATIVES from the region\u2019s first response units will descend on Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre on Wednesday, June 7 to meet and greet the community they serve on Thank A First Responder Day.<\/p>\n
The event will run outside the centre\u2019s Target store from 10am to 4pm featuring attendees from Victoria Police, Barwon Health, the Country Fire Authority, SES and Surf Life Saving Victoria, emphasising the vital role of first responders in in the community.<\/p>\n
Shopping centre marketing executive Georgie Ricca is encouraging the Waurn Ponds community to make there way to the centre to acknowledge the sacrifices of all first responders and say thanks.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey selflessly put their lives on the line, working tirelessly to protect our communities, often at great personal cost,\u201d Ms Ricca said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis day serves as a reminder that their service extends far beyond their duty hours, impacting not only their own lives but also their families. SES Corio deputy controller of members Russell Taylor said the day would provide an excellent opportunity for community members to fully understand what first response workers and volunteers do.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s more informative than anything, and while we love when the community appreciates what we do, that\u2019s not why we become volunteers, we do it to inform the community and help them when they need us most,\u201d Ms Taylor said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll of what we do volunteer time, most of us have full-time jobs on top of our first response roles, but it\u2019s all for the betterment of the community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Victoria Police Senior Constable for the Geelong area Amy Burke likened the first responder community to being \u201cone big family\u201d given they meet one another on jobs frequently.<\/p>\n
Senior Constable Burke also described next Wednesday\u2019s event as a great opportunity to bridge the gap between the police and the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe generally always meet people during an emergency or any kind of stressful environment, so it\u2019s nice to be able to meet the community in a cool, calm and collected situation,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt also allows us to have conversation with residents and gauge what they like or don\u2019t like about our service area delivery. \u201cWe\u2019re always looking to improve.\u201d<\/p>\n
Several activities will take place during the event ranging from badge designing to dress-ups and crafts outside the centre\u2019s Target store.<\/p>\n
Organisers have also urged residents to stop by the centre\u2019s \u2018Thank You Wall\u2019 by the event site, where people can leave a message of appreciation for the region\u2019s first responders and check out the event\u2019s impressive display of vehicles.<\/p>\n
For more information about the event, head to waurnpondssc.com.au\/whatson\/thank-a-firstresponder-day<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
REPRESENTATIVES from the region\u2019s first response units will descend on Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre on Wednesday, June 7 to meet and greet the community they serve on Thank A First Responder Day. The event will run outside the centre\u2019s Target store from 10am to 4pm featuring attendees from Victoria Police, Barwon Health, the Country Fire […]<\/p>\n