Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner last night awarded the Keys to the City to Brisbane’s SES volunteers during a special Civic Reception at City Hall.
Cr Schrinner said each and every one of the hundreds of people who volunteered for the SES were deserved recipients of Brisbane’s highest honour following their tireless efforts during the February flood and other events.
“Our SES volunteers are always there when residents need them and they demonstrated again during the devastating February floods that they are the real heroes,” he said.
“Brisbane experienced more than 670mm of rainfall over three days during that event, causing inundation to 23,000 homes and businesses and tragically claiming lives.
“I’m so proud to be able give the Keys to the City to these volunteers for their selfless work. These volunteers now become the 53rd recipients of Brisbane’s Keys to the City and join other critical groups, including the Queensland Police Service and the bushfire relief heroes.”
SES Local Controller Lowry Boyd said the extent of the volunteer’s efforts eclipses a single event, with many volunteers working year-round to improve and protect the community.
“The SES volunteers are the first to step in during a time of crisis, but also participate in special projects, community education programs, public safety events and more so that all residents can know how to stay safe during an emergency,” Mr Boyd said.
“Receiving this award is an incredible honour for our volunteers, who are dedicated to protecting and educating the people of Brisbane.”
From the beginning of the 2021 financial year to date, the Brisbane City SES Unit has logged over 141,000 hours of operational work, the equivalent of 16 years in the service of the people of Brisbane.
The Keys to the City were awarded during a Civic Reception that also featured the SES’s annual awards, service milestones and community-funded accolades.
The Keys to the City are awarded to acknowledge the achievement or contribution of an individual or organisation in furthering the ideals of the city.
Dating back to medieval times when cities were enclosed by walls, the symbolic gesture can be performed to recognise outstanding achievement in sport, community, or humanitarian work by a Brisbane resident at an international or national level.
