Tag: emergency services

Moreton Bay SES Petrie Member Honoured For Emergency Service Work

Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay

A volunteer with the Moreton Bay SES unit in Petrie has been recognised in the City of Moreton Bay 2026 Australia Day Awards for long-term service supporting emergency response and volunteer training.

Read: Decades of Service Honoured: Mango Hill’s Lynda Barry Awarded Order of Australia Medal

Service Through The Moreton Bay SES Petrie Unit

Ronald Aquilina received a Mayor’s Community Spirit Award for his contribution to the State Emergency Service, with official material identifying him as part of the Moreton Bay SES Unit, Petrie.

His service spans more than a decade and includes operational roles before, during and after disaster events. The award material highlights his work coordinating and training SES members on flood boats, as well as his role in supporting volunteer readiness.

Training And Mentorship Focus

According to the award citations provided, Mr Aquilina developed a structured mentorship program to support new SES volunteers. The initiative focused on building practical skills and supporting volunteers as they progressed through operational roles.

The material states that these initiatives improved crew capability and safety through coordinated training and mentoring, contributing to more effective disaster response.

Australia Day Awards 202
Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay

Experience Across Emergency Response

Mr Aquilina’s experience with Volunteer Marine Rescue is also referenced in the award material, informing his roles within the SES. His background across both organisations supported training and operational coordination.

Recognition for his service includes internal SES acknowledgements, reflecting his involvement in training, leadership and volunteer development.

Moreton Bay SES Petrie
Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay

Other Honourees Recognised

The same City of Moreton Bay 2026 Australia Day Awards also recognised Chris Paterson as Citizen of the Year for work through Bamboo Projects, which employs people living with disability or mental health challenges to remove marine debris from local waterways.

Read: Plans Revealed for New 24-Hour Wendy’s on Deception Bay Road

Mayor’s Community Spirit Awards were also presented to Jan Schutt and Alison Schutt for their work with Stationery Aid, an initiative redistributing unused school supplies to students facing resource barriers across the City of Moreton Bay.

Published 28-Jan-2026

Volunteer Numbers Set to Rise with New Deception Bay Base

Photo Credit: City of Moreton Bay

Disaster response in Deception Bay has received a massive boost with a new multi-million dollar headquarters that will more than double the number of local volunteers able to train and respond during severe weather.

Read: Debate Grows Over Proposed School on Former North Lakes Golf Course

Boosting Local Safety

Deception Bay
Photo Credit: Deception Bay SES/ Facebook

The Deception Bay State Emergency Service (SES) Group has officially moved into a new facility at 12 Old Bay Road. This project comes at a critical time as Queensland enters its severe weather season. 

Delivered through a partnership between the state and local governments, the $3.75 million depot is designed to strengthen disaster readiness for the entire Moreton Bay City area. The new base replaces older infrastructure and provides a modern space for a group that has served the community for four decades.

Room to Grow

Deception Bay
Photo Credit: Deception Bay SES/ Facebook

A major benefit of this upgrade is the immediate increase in training capacity. Previously, the group could only accommodate 50 members for training sessions, but the new building allows up to 120 volunteers to train each night. This expansion supports a current recruitment drive, with the unit looking to add 35 new volunteers to its ranks. The facility services a wide region stretching from Deception Bay out to Laceys Creek in the west.

Better Tools for the Job

Deception Bay
Photo Credit: Deception Bay SES/ Facebook

The depot includes expanded storage and specialized operational areas. It is built to house a larger fleet of rescue vehicles, including flood boats, all-terrain vehicles, and general response cars. Beyond just storage, the site features dedicated command capabilities that allow for better coordination during emergencies.

Police and Emergency Services Minister Dan Purdie indicated that the new design focuses on giving volunteers the right tools and space to do their jobs safely. He noted that while the weather cannot be controlled, ensuring volunteers have proper facilities is essential for them to face dangerous conditions.

Read: Deception Bay Shock As Local Beaches Record Surge In Sick And Dead Turtles

Supporting Volunteer Well-being

SES Chief Officer Dr Mark Armstrong highlighted that the building does more than just store equipment. He explained that the facility provides a functional and safe environment for members to plan and operate. According to Armstrong, this support is vital for maintaining the physical and mental well-being of volunteers who give up their personal time to protect the community during crises. 

The upgrade reflects the growth of the service across the state, which has seen active membership numbers rise to over 5,300 people in the last year.

Published Date 12-December-2025