She may not be called to a crisis every week, but Nowra volunteer Sandra Zigra spends many hours each week working for the SES.
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On International Volunteer Day on Tuesday, Sandra told the South Coast Register of what she has gained through volunteering.
“I’ve done are amazing things I didn’t think I’d ever be able to do,” she said.
“It’s given me a great deal of confidence outdoors.
“Everyone has some skills they can bring to an emergency service.”
She is the operations coordinator at Nowra, a calm voice on the end of the phone line, prioritising upwards of 250 calls during a storm.
“I have been out on the field and seen smiles on people’s faces in the pouring rain,” Sandra said.
“It’s lovely to know people are very pleased just to see us arrive, hopefully we bring a sense of reassurance.”
Sandra is one of 70 Shoalhaven SES volunteers aged 18 to 89.
Meanwhile, the recent storm has not been as bad as anticipated, aside from a few trees falling, the SES has not been overwhelmed by calls.
