Community
27 May, 2026
Volunteers stand strong together
MEMBERS of volunteer agencies across Port Campbell gathered as part of National Volunteer Week to celebrate the important work volunteers do in the district and surrounds.
Last week was National Volunteer Week, which encouraged honouring volunteers who put in countless hours of their time for the betterment of their communities.
Members of the Port Campbell Country Fire Authority (CFA), Surf Lifesaving Club (SLSC) and State Emergency Service (SES) are some of the people representing vital volunteer agencies in the region.
Port Campbell CFA member Alan Bryan, who has been volunteering with the CFA since he was 14 years old, said he became active originally in Beeac running around the state doing CFA championships.
“Between running championships as competitions or running them as track marshal or judge, I got involved that way and really got into learning how fires act, how different fires behave and I was going away for weekends, doing events and fire training,” he said.
“Between running around the state and growing my knowledge of fires, as soon as I hit 18, I loved it – I wanted to keep going.
“I love helping others and with fires, if people can’t help themselves, I’m a helpful kind of person, I just loved it.
“Volunteer – if you’ve got time, do it.”
Fellow Port Campbell CFA member Katy Millard said there were lots of ways people could get involved with volunteering.
“Within the CFA there’s operational and non-operational jobs, so recently another brigade member and I organised the Hats and High Tea event for the Good Friday Appeal where we raised more than $8000 – so there’s a lot more than just turning out on the truck,” she said.
“There’s a lot more behind the scenes that we do in the community than just hands-on stuff.
“I think for a long time the CFA was perceived as a job that only men could do, but it actually can be done by women and young people.
“You don’t necessarily have to turn out, and if you turn out you might do it a little bit differently than the men do, but it’s just about getting the job done.
“Anybody who wants to join needs to have a conversation with their local CFA people and find out what it’s like and find out what jobs there are to do because you don’t necessarily have to be a firefighter, but there’s so many things that make all that happen – just have a conversation with your local brigade.”
Port Campbell Surf Lifesaving Club patrol captain Alysa Hibburt reflected on her long history with the club and why it meant so much to her.
“I’ve just got a new position, so I’m vice club captain of the club which is really exciting,” she said.
“I started as a nipper when I was in under 12s, then once I got to under 14s I did my surf rescue certificate (SRC) and then my bronze medallion when I was 15 so that’s when I could start doing patrols.
“I’m really passionate about the community – everyone in the community comes down here and puts so much effort into this club and you can see a lot of reward from kids and stuff.
“I did an age manager year for the under 14s, so I ran them through their under 14s nippers for 10 weeks and their SRC component and I really saw a lot of commitment – they were so passionate and they looked up to me and that was really rewarding.
“Just seeing them come and do patrols with me when they qualified for their SRC, that was really awesome.”
Ms Hibburt was recently one of the joint winners of the David and Marie McKenzie Family Lifesaver of the Year Award, highlighting her dedication to the club and community.
“I think a big one for me is women in surf lifesaving, and trying to promote that these girls can do it and there’s people like myself and people older than me and people more qualified than me in the club that are just such good role models – I think it’s really important,” she said.
“I’m really passionate about the community and I just love the ocean, I love where we live.
“I think there’s a lot of people who are passionate in this club so it makes you enthusiastic and want to do more.”
Another Port Campbell volunteer putting in the hard yards is Sarah Matthews, who volunteers with the CFA, SLSC and recently within the last 12 months joined the local SES unit.
“I joined just to support what is a predominantly older volunteer base and encourage more younger members to join and be part of that legacy of proud volunteers in Port Campbell,” she said.
“As I work as a Parks Victoria ranger as well, and I see the operations the SES members do in our park in responding to visitor issues, I admired their technical skills and professionalism.
“The group is made up of people from all different backgrounds and they take the training really seriously – they’re a super professional group.
“These are really inclusive groups of people and it’s a great way to build connections in a small town.”
Ms Matthews said being a volunteer was rewarding and encouraged anyone to stand up and give it a go.
“I get a lot out of it, personally – helping others is something that I really enjoy and adds to what is already a really proud volunteer base in Port Campbell,” she said.
“There are opportunities for everyone in volunteer organisations, you don’t necessarily need a particular set of skills.
“Have a go, it’s a great way to meet people and be a part of the community.”
Port Campbell Police Acting Sergeant Troy Beames said Port Campbell’s volunteer services were vital assets to the community.
“I’ve attended a number of critical incidents since transferring to Port Campbell from the city in 2023 and what has really struck me is just how reliant we are on our local volunteer emergency service agencies,” he said.
“I’ve been to serious car accidents, cliff rescues, near drownings, missing person searches and injured hiker recovery jobs and after each of these events I’ve left with an even greater sense of respect and admiration for how skilled, dedicated and professional the members of our local volunteer agencies are.”
Act Sgt Beames said he saw the impressive capabilities of volunteers at a recent multi-agency training day.
“Using the scenario of a helicopter crash into rough waters near the 12 Apostles, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members accessed the remote beach location to provide medical care to the victims,” he said.
“Port Campbell Surf Life Saving Club displayed their capabilities to deploy rescue resources via land and sea.
“Warrnambool Coast Guard presented on how they would conduct a search for casualties missing in the water.
“Local CFA members provided support with traffic direction and crowd control and the Port Campbell SES unit conducted a high angle rescue of a casualty up the sheer Gibson Steps cliffs.
“Throughout the course of the day all agencies had a chance to display their capabilities to great acclaim from all in attendance.”
Act Sgt Beames said he hoped more people would step up and get involved with volunteer agencies in the community.
“I’m also a member of the Port Campbell Surf Life Saving Club and I can personally attest to the value of the skills and knowledge that I’ve gained through my involvement with the club,” he said.
“On multiple occasions I’ve had to call on the first aid and sea rescue skills that I gained through my bronze medallion training to assist members of the public.
“Within our station at Port Campbell, we also have members involved with the SES and CFA and we all benefit from not only the knowledge and skills we’ve gained, but also from the great social outlet that being a member of these agencies provides.
“During National Volunteer Week, I hope all of our local residents take a moment to reflect on how fortunate they are to live in an area serviced by so many incredible emergency service volunteers, and maybe to also consider reaping the rewards of becoming a member of any one of these agencies too.”
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