The orange jumpsuit that State Emergency Service (SES) members wear is familiar and comforting in times of crisis.
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But when mother nature is not wreaking havoc, often the SES slips from the public’s mind, which is where Wear Orange Wednesday (WOW) comes in.
WOW Day is on May 10.
This is a day where the public is encouraged to add a splash of orange to what they wear as a way to say “thanks” to the SES and the work its volunteers undertake.
“It’s a day for the community to acknowledge what these people [SES volunteers] do,” Phil Hudson, local controller of the Port Stephens SES unit, said.
“We’re members of the community working in orange, volunteering, for members of the community.”
Port Stephens SES will be extra visible in Raymond Terrace on WOW Day.
Members of the unit, dressed in their orange jumpsuits, will be driving around Raymond Terrace in a rescue vehicle.
They will make six stops around town.
Members of the public are encouraged to say hello and chat with the SES as they make their way around town.
Selfies are also encouraged. As is using the #ThankYouSES hashtag when uploading a photo to social media.
Port Stephens SES will make its way around Raymond Terrace between 9.30am and 1.30pm.
The first stop will be the oval behind Raymond Terrace MarketPlace about 9.30am then Riverside Park (Hunter Street), Terrace Central, NRMA (William Street), the Aldi car park (entry via Kangaroo Street) and Raymond Terrace Bowling Club.
Times the unit arrive at each location will depend on how many people stop to say hello at the one before.
Members will make their final stop at the bowling club. Here, they will head inside to chat with club-goers and hand out SES paraphernalia.
“People only really see us when they’re in trouble,” Pam Sharp, the Port Stephens SES community engagement officer, said.
“We want to let people know that we’re here, that they can ask us for help and general information on floods and storms any time.”
