THE Chelsea SES has moved into its new $7 million headquarters.
The redeveloped facility features a six-bay drive-through motor room, more storage, additional training space, and upgraded infrastructure for emergency response coordination. The state government spent $7 million on its construction.
The official opening event for the Chelsea SES homebase was held on 30 April. In a statement, the Chelsea SES said that it was a “special” day.
“It was such an emotional day for all of us, but especially unit controller Ron Fitch after the many, many years of work he has put in to make [the day] a reality,” the SES said. “It was during Ron’s speech that emotions overflowed, both on the stage and in the audience, and gave people a glimpse into the support and friendships that live in the Chelsea unit.
“All in all it was the most wonderful day, an historic day, and such a significant day in the proud history of Chelsea SES.”
The new facility is in Chelsea Heights. It replaces the old Chelsea SES homebase in Bonbeach.
Just across the road from the new building is the Tash Drake Memorial Garden. The space is dedicated to Natasha Drake, a passionate Chelsea SES volunteer who died from a brain aneurysm last year.
The opening event was attended by SES members, Mordialloc MP Tim Richardson, Kingston mayor Hadi Saab, and Victorian emergency management commissioner Andrew Crisp. Richardson said “the Chelsea SES unit has served the Victorian community for almost 70 years and deserves these fabulous new facilities so it can continue to provide vital services for the community. The Andrews Labor Government is proud to support VICSES and their dedicated volunteers who provide critical assistance to the community during emergencies and who also play a vital role in supporting other emergency services agencies.”
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 9 May 2023