When Claire Bell moved from Victoria to Bathurst in 2009 she decided that in order to meet people outside of the course she was studying at CSU, she'd join the NSW State Emergency Service.
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Fast forward 12 years and Claire is now being recognised for her 10 years of service to the community through her continued role with the SES.
"They're like one big extended family," she said of her compatriots in the Blayney branch.
"I think that I've opened up more as a person and I've certainly developed new skills."
Her most memorable event was when she joined a strike team that served in Queensland after Cyclone Yasi devastated the far north of the state in 2011.
"I'm really grateful for all the opportunities and training that I've been given and being able to help people," she said.
Member for Bathurst Paul Toole joined NSW SES Commissioner Carlene York to present awards to each of the volunteers, acknowledging their years of service and dedication to protecting their local communities.
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"These volunteers are an inspiration and I'm sure will encourage others to join the service and protect their community from storms and floods," Mr Toole said.
For anyone wanting to join the SES the Blayney branch meets every Wednesday night at 7pm in Carcoar Street.
Mark Logan
Started working in newspapers in the 1990's in the darkroom of the Pastoral Times in Deniliquin before moving to Millthorpe in 2003. Soon after arriving I started as a photographer at the CWD. Now a journalist at the Blayney Chronicle.
Started working in newspapers in the 1990's in the darkroom of the Pastoral Times in Deniliquin before moving to Millthorpe in 2003. Soon after arriving I started as a photographer at the CWD. Now a journalist at the Blayney Chronicle.
