Emma Pritchard

Pat Crowe of Grafton has selflessly volunteered with numerous local organisations and outlets across the Clarence Valley through the years.

In her own words, wherever there has been a need for volunteers, she has never hesitated to put her hand up.

From serving lunches in school canteens to dedicating countless hours with Grafton Meals on Wheels, she has always made herself available to help those around her.

Recently, Mrs Crowe celebrated 60 years as a volunteer with the NSW State Emergency Services (SES) and was recognised for her tremendous community spirit by Member for Clarence Richie Williamson, the Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib, and the NSW SES Acting Commissioner Debbie Platz APM, during a special and secretly planned morning tea at the Grafton SES headquarters.

“The SES was known as the Civil Defence Service when I first joined,” Mrs Crowe recalled.

“I remember it was flooding, and I went to see if they needed a hand.

“I was asked if I could work a switchboard, I said yes, and it all started from there.”

In her 60 years as an SES volunteer, Mrs Crowe has played pivotal roles in the preparation, first response, and recovery operations following devastating weather events which have swept across the Clarence Valley and surrounding regions.

She has also assisted in the training of other SES volunteers and helped to promote community education and awareness in the lead-up to and during natural disasters.

Mrs Crowe said there have been many changes made within the SES throughout the years, most notably the advancements in technology to aid communication, and the introduction of computers, which she has learned to operate.

“We went from using landline phones to mobile phones, and I’ve also learned how to work two to three computer screens at the same time, which is something I would never have believed I could do a few years ago,” she said.

“Being a volunteer with the SES is very rewarding because you’re giving something back to your local community, and you’re helping people.”

Mrs Crowe was made a life member of the SES in 2010 and received the Emergency Services Medal (ESM) in 2015.

She is currently Commander of the Clarence Nambucca Capability Unit, a varying role which makes her “the go-to person”, distributing teams where they are needed during emergencies and overseeing the physical and mental welfare of other SES personnel.

Mrs Crowe said she would love to encourage more people to volunteer with the SES by visiting www.ses.nsw.gov.au