FloodSafe Newsletters

SES Community FloodSafe Newsletter 19

November/ December 2011

November saw the FloodSafe team present a display at Castle Plaza on a Thursday late-shopping night. Having set up in the middle of the shopping centre, the team were kept quite busy with shoppers and shop owners asking questions about FloodSafe and StormSafe. Passers-by were offered information brochures and magnets.
The FloodSafe team attended fetes run by community centres and local groups including the scouts. Paddy made several appearances for the children and received lots of high fives and cuddles. The children were given colouring books and Paddy tattoos while the adults received a fridge magnet. The team were also asked to attend the Aldinga community centre for the Grumpy Old Men's club, taking the Transit display vehicle and a response truck from Noarlunga SES unit. Pizzas were cooked for the crews in a wood fired oven and everyone had a look over both vehicles.
The Renmark SES unit asked FloodSafe team to assist them with four school presentations on Thursday and Friday of SES week. Of course Paddy was there to help. The team spoke to the children about what SES does and how to be safe around flood waters. Other visits included an aged care facility and the local shopping centre. Local residents including children asked lots of questions and were very keen to find out more information about both SES and FloodSafe.
To conclude SES week the FloodSafe team and the Dog unit had a display in Rundle Mall, under the canopy at Gawler Place. Once the Christmas Pageant had passed, at about 10am, the team were kept busy as people came into the mall. Many stopped and talked, patted the dogs and asked questions about FloodSafe, SES and the Dog unit. Paddy made a few appearances and as usual received lots of cuddles and high fives from the young and old. It was a very successful day.
In the lead up to Christmas, Paddy's presence was requested at some of the Christmas pageants. The FloodSafe team attended the Port Adelaide Enfield twilight pageant with their Transit display vehicle and FloodSafe trailer. Paddy travelled in style, waving to everyone from his position on the Enfield SES display trailer. The next day the team attended the Stirling pageant with Paddy and their vehicles. Paddy again made a successful appearance at the Christies Beach pageant along with the Noarlunga SES unit.

The FloodSafe team were invited back to Renmark to participate in the local pageant, where Paddy was very well received and fun was had by adults and children alike. FloodSafe finished the year with the Christmas pageant at Clare, where they attended with their Transit display vehicle. Paddy again waved from his position on the Enfield SES unit's house mounted on a trailer.
The FloodSafe team would like to wish everyone a safe and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and look forward to working with you, or meeting you, in 2012.