Member Profiles
Getting to know your local SES volunteers
Introducing Gary Stoward ….
Gary is the Deputy Manager of the Glamorgan Spring Bay SES Unit. Having joined the Unit as a volunteer over twelve years ago, Gary has attained a high level of training and extensive experience in emergency response. Gary is also a volunteer member of the Tasmania Fire Service Unit in Swansea and in these two roles attends many of the emergency incidents in the central East Coast from Buckland to Bicheno. He plays an active role in the training of other SES Unit members and is highly respected for his quiet humour, his astute assessments of incidents, an unflappable manner under pressure and his work capability.
A resident of Dolphin Sands, Gary is known throughout the wider community for his enthusiastic support and voluntary involvement in many other community organizations. He gives freely of his time to the RSL, the Swansea community garden, the local drumming corps, and the activities of Clean-up Australia, Tasmanian Land Conservation and the Dolphin Sands Ratepayers Association including Neighbourhood Watch. If a resident needs help to move house or shift a piece of furniture, Gary will find the time.
Gary and partner Lorna love to walk, run and bike-ride. Most days Gary clocks up many kilometres, sometimes twenty on his bike followed by five to ten jogging along the roadways and beaches around Swansea. His interest in physically demanding activity has been a passion most of his life. A couple of years ago he completed the Kokoda Track. He has run three Point to Pinnacle races (under 2 hours) and a Freycinet Challenge. He has walked and climbed The Pyrenees and climbed to the Base Camp of Mt Everest at an altitude of over four times the height of Hobart’s Mt Wellington. At that altitude breathing can become difficult in the rarified atmosphere. On some overseas trips Gary and Lorna enjoyed self-guided bike rides and trekking through the countrysides of Germany, France and Italy.
Born in Launceston and raised in the West Tamar town of Gravelly Beach, Gary attended Exeter Area School. He left school after Grade 9 to work on a milk run. When seventeen years old Gary enlisted in the Army. Following his training he was deployed to Vietnam to serve in transport. He was only nineteen.
Gary remained in the army for twelve years and there is little doubt his involvement as a frontline emergency responder owes much to the training and experiences gained during his overseas tour of duty.
After discharge from the Army, Gary settled in Melbourne where he trained and worked as a fitter and turner. Years later he became an electrical-mechanical Project Engineer and worked on electrical harnesses for Australian new car manufacturers.
Thirteen years ago, Gary retired. He and Lorna moved from Melbourne to settle in Dolphin Sands and, wanting to give to his new community, he joined the fire brigade. A couple of years later, after a chance conversation with SES members Wayne Hearps and Kelvin Jones, Gary joined the SES.
What is so good about the SES? Gary loves the variety, the training and the mateship. But, most of all, it’s being able to help people and contribute to the life of his community.
Gary is the Deputy Manager of the Glamorgan Spring Bay SES Unit. Having joined the Unit as a volunteer over twelve years ago, Gary has attained a high level of training and extensive experience in emergency response. Gary is also a volunteer member of the Tasmania Fire Service Unit in Swansea and in these two roles attends many of the emergency incidents in the central East Coast from Buckland to Bicheno. He plays an active role in the training of other SES Unit members and is highly respected for his quiet humour, his astute assessments of incidents, an unflappable manner under pressure and his work capability.
A resident of Dolphin Sands, Gary is known throughout the wider community for his enthusiastic support and voluntary involvement in many other community organizations. He gives freely of his time to the RSL, the Swansea community garden, the local drumming corps, and the activities of Clean-up Australia, Tasmanian Land Conservation and the Dolphin Sands Ratepayers Association including Neighbourhood Watch. If a resident needs help to move house or shift a piece of furniture, Gary will find the time.
Gary and partner Lorna love to walk, run and bike-ride. Most days Gary clocks up many kilometres, sometimes twenty on his bike followed by five to ten jogging along the roadways and beaches around Swansea. His interest in physically demanding activity has been a passion most of his life. A couple of years ago he completed the Kokoda Track. He has run three Point to Pinnacle races (under 2 hours) and a Freycinet Challenge. He has walked and climbed The Pyrenees and climbed to the Base Camp of Mt Everest at an altitude of over four times the height of Hobart’s Mt Wellington. At that altitude breathing can become difficult in the rarified atmosphere. On some overseas trips Gary and Lorna enjoyed self-guided bike rides and trekking through the countrysides of Germany, France and Italy.
Born in Launceston and raised in the West Tamar town of Gravelly Beach, Gary attended Exeter Area School. He left school after Grade 9 to work on a milk run. When seventeen years old Gary enlisted in the Army. Following his training he was deployed to Vietnam to serve in transport. He was only nineteen.
Gary remained in the army for twelve years and there is little doubt his involvement as a frontline emergency responder owes much to the training and experiences gained during his overseas tour of duty.
After discharge from the Army, Gary settled in Melbourne where he trained and worked as a fitter and turner. Years later he became an electrical-mechanical Project Engineer and worked on electrical harnesses for Australian new car manufacturers.
Thirteen years ago, Gary retired. He and Lorna moved from Melbourne to settle in Dolphin Sands and, wanting to give to his new community, he joined the fire brigade. A couple of years later, after a chance conversation with SES members Wayne Hearps and Kelvin Jones, Gary joined the SES.
What is so good about the SES? Gary loves the variety, the training and the mateship. But, most of all, it’s being able to help people and contribute to the life of his community.
Meet the team... Michael
Michael's been with the team nearly 2 years and part of our Dolphinsands crew.
Why did you join the SES? To give back to the community, community minded . Liked the challenge of the rescue environment.
What have you learnt since being in the SES? I have completed all the basic training, Road Rescue, Land search, Storm damage, working at heights and chai saw operations, you never stop learning.
What life skills did you bring to SES? Management skills, safety awareness and organisational.
What do like about the SES? Friendships that I have formed , the people you get to meet and those you get to help
Michael's been with the team nearly 2 years and part of our Dolphinsands crew.
Why did you join the SES? To give back to the community, community minded . Liked the challenge of the rescue environment.
What have you learnt since being in the SES? I have completed all the basic training, Road Rescue, Land search, Storm damage, working at heights and chai saw operations, you never stop learning.
What life skills did you bring to SES? Management skills, safety awareness and organisational.
What do like about the SES? Friendships that I have formed , the people you get to meet and those you get to help
Meet the Team....ALAN
Alan has been with the unit for 5 years he's one of our Dolphinsands crew.
Why did you join SES? I have a long family history of volunteering, wanted to be part of the community and meet new people.
What has SES given you? Learnt lots of new skills, met some great like minded people. It's the mateship and comradery.
What else would you like to say? I have enjoyed the challenge of attending the varied incidents, you never know what you might get called to . I have enjoyed learning the new skills that have helped me help others.
Alan has been with the unit for 5 years he's one of our Dolphinsands crew.
Why did you join SES? I have a long family history of volunteering, wanted to be part of the community and meet new people.
What has SES given you? Learnt lots of new skills, met some great like minded people. It's the mateship and comradery.
What else would you like to say? I have enjoyed the challenge of attending the varied incidents, you never know what you might get called to . I have enjoyed learning the new skills that have helped me help others.
Introducing …… Stephen Rednianko
Born and raised in Launceston, Stephen began his working life at the young age of sixteen. He joined the Tasmanian Government Railway workshop at Invermay as an apprentice fitter-machinist. Over the years Stephen acquired many practical skills and much valuable experience working on heavy locomotives, rolling stock and the vast array of equipment including track-laying machinery.
By 1991 Stephen was ready for other challenges. He worked for a brief time at ACL Bearings at Rocherlea and Roberts agriculture. He bought the supermarket at Waverley and adjusted to seven day working weeks.
As a family man with three children Stephen soon became a part of his Waverley community. As time permitted, he pursued an active interest in rare and exceptional cars. In 2007 he became a volunteer member of the Launceston SES Unit and as a member of the call-out crew he responded to many flood and storm damage incidents, land search and rescue emergencies and community events.
In 2017 Stephen moved to Swansea and together with Jenny, bought a new home and arranged for his SES membership to begin anew with the Glamorgan Spring Bay Unit. His retirement to the East Coast was the stuff of dreams – to relax, go fishing, enjoy his beloved dogs, continuing his involvement with his car club activities and settle into the easy life-style of the Swansea community. He is familiar with the Freycinet-Coles Bay area and had a life-long ambition to live on Tasmania’s East Coast.
Like most volunteers Stephen had a strong desire to contribute to his new-found community. It came as no surprise to those who know him when he signed up to join the Swansea based Glamorgan Spring Bay SES Unit. Some years later he joined the Salvation Army’s newly established mobile food unit. He soon became a go-to member of his neighbourhood.
With retirement presenting them with time to travel Stephen and Jen made frequent trips interstate in their first motor-home, a converted bus. Later they travelled with a caravan and then a second motorhome.
But Stephen was never one to lead a quiet life. The experiences of the School of Hard Knocks and his training with The Railways needed an outlet. Those who have worked alongside Stephen will tell you, he is a problem-solver. He likes to find ways to make things better and he has an uncanny knack of thinking up ingenious solutions to problems. He is very comfortable with all manner of tools in his hands and works reliably and passionately at the tasks given him. He’s a great believer in mutual “back-scratching”, helping others, though he gives far more than he receives. He is a solid friend, and loyal, and is generous with his time. Stephen cares about those around him and is quick to help those in need - be it simply a chat or help with a task, or just a cup of coffee to shoot the breeze. Most recently, he had a tour of duty assisting residents of flood-ravaged Lismore. It’s a simple philosophy of helping others.
All these qualities Stephen brings to his service with the SES. He has a vast store of life experiences and an extensive and practical skill set. He’s very much a “have a go” sort of person. He enjoys working as a team member and respects the skills and knowledge of those around him. He cares deeply about the welfare and safety of others, particularly fellow volunteers in the SES Unit. He understands the hazards and risks of the job.
Stephen is a great example of the diversity of skills, the broad body of knowledge and the extraordinary capabilities that defines the membership of the SES.
Born and raised in Launceston, Stephen began his working life at the young age of sixteen. He joined the Tasmanian Government Railway workshop at Invermay as an apprentice fitter-machinist. Over the years Stephen acquired many practical skills and much valuable experience working on heavy locomotives, rolling stock and the vast array of equipment including track-laying machinery.
By 1991 Stephen was ready for other challenges. He worked for a brief time at ACL Bearings at Rocherlea and Roberts agriculture. He bought the supermarket at Waverley and adjusted to seven day working weeks.
As a family man with three children Stephen soon became a part of his Waverley community. As time permitted, he pursued an active interest in rare and exceptional cars. In 2007 he became a volunteer member of the Launceston SES Unit and as a member of the call-out crew he responded to many flood and storm damage incidents, land search and rescue emergencies and community events.
In 2017 Stephen moved to Swansea and together with Jenny, bought a new home and arranged for his SES membership to begin anew with the Glamorgan Spring Bay Unit. His retirement to the East Coast was the stuff of dreams – to relax, go fishing, enjoy his beloved dogs, continuing his involvement with his car club activities and settle into the easy life-style of the Swansea community. He is familiar with the Freycinet-Coles Bay area and had a life-long ambition to live on Tasmania’s East Coast.
Like most volunteers Stephen had a strong desire to contribute to his new-found community. It came as no surprise to those who know him when he signed up to join the Swansea based Glamorgan Spring Bay SES Unit. Some years later he joined the Salvation Army’s newly established mobile food unit. He soon became a go-to member of his neighbourhood.
With retirement presenting them with time to travel Stephen and Jen made frequent trips interstate in their first motor-home, a converted bus. Later they travelled with a caravan and then a second motorhome.
But Stephen was never one to lead a quiet life. The experiences of the School of Hard Knocks and his training with The Railways needed an outlet. Those who have worked alongside Stephen will tell you, he is a problem-solver. He likes to find ways to make things better and he has an uncanny knack of thinking up ingenious solutions to problems. He is very comfortable with all manner of tools in his hands and works reliably and passionately at the tasks given him. He’s a great believer in mutual “back-scratching”, helping others, though he gives far more than he receives. He is a solid friend, and loyal, and is generous with his time. Stephen cares about those around him and is quick to help those in need - be it simply a chat or help with a task, or just a cup of coffee to shoot the breeze. Most recently, he had a tour of duty assisting residents of flood-ravaged Lismore. It’s a simple philosophy of helping others.
All these qualities Stephen brings to his service with the SES. He has a vast store of life experiences and an extensive and practical skill set. He’s very much a “have a go” sort of person. He enjoys working as a team member and respects the skills and knowledge of those around him. He cares deeply about the welfare and safety of others, particularly fellow volunteers in the SES Unit. He understands the hazards and risks of the job.
Stephen is a great example of the diversity of skills, the broad body of knowledge and the extraordinary capabilities that defines the membership of the SES.
Introducing Wayne Menzies
Wayne joined the Glamorgan Spring Bay SES Unit in 2019 after relocating with his family to Swansea. In keeping with most volunteers, Wayne wanted to help those around him, to contribute to the life of his community and he felt the work of the SES would be a good match.
Throughout his life Wayne has taken a keen interest in the bush, in fishing and life at sea. In his own words, he has always wanted to “have a go” at new challenges. So determined was he, that as a child he would incur the frustration and wrath of his parents and teachers for throwing caution to the wind and attempting the risky and the unwise.
As a young kid at school Wayne was known for his “dare-devil” behaviour, a bit “crazy and fearless” but despite it all, he found he could cope well with school.
After leaving school Wayne pursued many interests. He worked on cars and anything mechanical. He became proficient at living and working in the bush. His life-long passion for fishing saw him fishing with family and friends at every opportunity and from time to time, he worked on a mate’s fishing trawler learning the ropes as a professional fisherman. He worked in the building industry and trained as a roofer and for many years worked at what is regarded as a hazardous career.
But then came the decision to leave Hobart for a life on Tassie’s East Coast. Wayne joined a like-minded mariner and fisherman, to work as the deck-hand on his fishing charter boat operating out of Swansea. With mounting sea-time and skippering opportunities, Wayne decided to study for his Coxswain One ticket. This qualification would allow Wayne to take responsibility for the vessel as skipper and its passengers, to back-up his friend.
After an intensive, full-time two weeks study course, Wayne qualified and now, when required, takes command of the charter boat and its passengers for fishing excursions far off-shore. He regards the Eastern coastline as very special. The “tuna capital” of the State. And, if he has a dream, it would be to purchase and operate a fishing charter vessel of his own.
And so, when Wayne joined the SES Unit in Swansea, he came with many skills and experiences. He was well prepared for the diversity and challenges of SES work.
During his two years in the Unit, Wayne successfully completed an impressive list of training courses. Among them are courses in Traffic Management, First Aid, Road Crash Rescue, Working at Heights, Driving under Operational Conditions, Storm Damage and Flood Rescue, Chainsaw Operation, Fire Fighting, and Communications. Soon, he will complete a Land Search and Rescue course.
As impressive as it is, the diversity and experiences of Wayne’s background and life interests are not unique. All volunteers in the emergency services bring a vast array of skills, life experiences, formal qualifications and a deep passion for serving their communities. It can be physically challenging and emotionally scaring work, but Wayne and so many like him,
Wayne joined the Glamorgan Spring Bay SES Unit in 2019 after relocating with his family to Swansea. In keeping with most volunteers, Wayne wanted to help those around him, to contribute to the life of his community and he felt the work of the SES would be a good match.
Throughout his life Wayne has taken a keen interest in the bush, in fishing and life at sea. In his own words, he has always wanted to “have a go” at new challenges. So determined was he, that as a child he would incur the frustration and wrath of his parents and teachers for throwing caution to the wind and attempting the risky and the unwise.
As a young kid at school Wayne was known for his “dare-devil” behaviour, a bit “crazy and fearless” but despite it all, he found he could cope well with school.
After leaving school Wayne pursued many interests. He worked on cars and anything mechanical. He became proficient at living and working in the bush. His life-long passion for fishing saw him fishing with family and friends at every opportunity and from time to time, he worked on a mate’s fishing trawler learning the ropes as a professional fisherman. He worked in the building industry and trained as a roofer and for many years worked at what is regarded as a hazardous career.
But then came the decision to leave Hobart for a life on Tassie’s East Coast. Wayne joined a like-minded mariner and fisherman, to work as the deck-hand on his fishing charter boat operating out of Swansea. With mounting sea-time and skippering opportunities, Wayne decided to study for his Coxswain One ticket. This qualification would allow Wayne to take responsibility for the vessel as skipper and its passengers, to back-up his friend.
After an intensive, full-time two weeks study course, Wayne qualified and now, when required, takes command of the charter boat and its passengers for fishing excursions far off-shore. He regards the Eastern coastline as very special. The “tuna capital” of the State. And, if he has a dream, it would be to purchase and operate a fishing charter vessel of his own.
And so, when Wayne joined the SES Unit in Swansea, he came with many skills and experiences. He was well prepared for the diversity and challenges of SES work.
During his two years in the Unit, Wayne successfully completed an impressive list of training courses. Among them are courses in Traffic Management, First Aid, Road Crash Rescue, Working at Heights, Driving under Operational Conditions, Storm Damage and Flood Rescue, Chainsaw Operation, Fire Fighting, and Communications. Soon, he will complete a Land Search and Rescue course.
As impressive as it is, the diversity and experiences of Wayne’s background and life interests are not unique. All volunteers in the emergency services bring a vast array of skills, life experiences, formal qualifications and a deep passion for serving their communities. It can be physically challenging and emotionally scaring work, but Wayne and so many like him,