History


The State Emergency Service originally developed from the Victorian Civil Defence. In Bacchus Marsh, Civil and Emergency services were originally the role of the local Shire Engineer. In August 1980, VicSES Regional Manager Brian Rickard made the request to raise a volunteer unit in Bacchus Marsh. In April 1982 a public meeting was held and 10 members were recruited. The Unit commenced operation in June 1982.

The first controller of Bacchus Marsh unit was Tim Van Der Poel, who commenced in July 1982. Initially only a trailer could be provided by SES, and private or council cars were used in operations, such as the Ash Wednesday fires. In May 1983, a “Public Wheels Appeal” was conducted raising $5246. Additional donations from Rotary and Y’s Men club as well as a donation from the Bacchus Marsh Council, meant the unit’s first vehicle could be purchased, a Toyota long wheel base 4WD to facilitate storm and search capabilities.

Initial meetings were held at Bacchus Marsh Primary School, before a garage was provided with assistance from the Council in Turner St. The garage was fitted out by members. In 1985, an ex SEC International truck was purchased by the unit and fitted out as a rescue vehicle, with emergency lighting and manual cutting equipment supplied by VicSES. After several requests for a replacement truck, the unit was provided with a Government issue General Purpose truck in May 1993.

In 1990 regional control of the unit switched to central and in 1992 to the Geelong regional office. At this time, discussions commenced with the Council regarding the construction of a suitable Local Headquarters (LHQ), as the current 20x40ft shed did not have the basic facilities required for training, equipment storage or even toilets.

The unit applied for a government grant of $10,000, and along with $100,000 in allocated funds from the council, a design was approved for the construction of a Headquarters off Gisborne road, close to Main street. The unit also commenced it’s annual doorknock, the major fundraiser of the year. The building was completed in 1994 and officially opened on 23 October 1994. The unit completed payments to the council for the building in 2001.

In 1994 the unit participated in it’s first coffee break, now known as the Driver Reviver. Change of response boundaries in 1995, saw the unit transfer back to the Mid West region and the unit currently has one of the largest response boundaries in the State.

The new building meant unit membership increased rapidly and an Auxilary was created in 1995. Specialist teams increased unit capabilities in Mounted rescue, Underwater rescue, Vertical rescue, Land Search and 4WD rescue. A flood rescue boat was gained in 1997 and in 1998, council assisted with the purchase of a second 4WD vehicle.

In 1997 the unit competed in it’s first Road Rescue competition and has had enormous success at State, National and International levels.

The unit currently has three vehicles:
-Ford F350 General Rescue Truck (issued by VicSES 2002)
-Nissan Patrol 4WD (unit purchase 2000)
-Nissan Navara 4WD (unit purchase/grant 2004)

The Unit currently has        members

Previous controllers are:

  1. Tim Van Der Poel,            July 1982 – June 1989

  2. Gary Bragg,                      Jan 1989 – June 1989

  3. Russel Wells                     June 1989 – June 1991

  4. Phillip Middlemast            June 1991 – March 1994

  5. Paul Octigan                     March 1994 –

  6. Peter Olthof                                         to present

Location Map

Callout statistics         2004
                                    2005
                                    2006

132 500 for Flood Storm Emergency