A MOUNT Gambier State Emergency Service volunteer recognised for 20 years of service this week has no plans to hang up the orange overalls just yet.
Matthew Tye was awarded the clasp for long-service by South Australian SES general manager David Carman at a small gathering on Wednesday evening.
Across the 20 years, Mr Tye said he was proud to serve a number of communities having been involved with SES units in Mount Gambier and other areas.
“It’s a great feeling actually, there’s nothing better than trying to make communities feel safe and help them where you can,” he said.
“It’s definitely not something I’m going to give away any time soon, I’m going to keep going and keep exploring.”
Mr Tye said recognition meant a lot to him, but it was not something he sought as a volunteer.
“I just love the job, my reward has always been to be able to help people, but the recognition does mean alot,” he said.
“I have never really thought about the medals, but it is special to receive them and to know I’ll be able to pass them onto my children.”
Mr Tye found it difficult to pin-point one specific job that stood out across the two decades.
However, he said he experienced a great thrill competing with a Mount Gambier Unit during the State Rescue Challenge earlier this year.
“I took a team up to Adelaide for that as the team manager and put them through their paces, which is something that was different and I had not done before,” he said.
Mr Tye said the skills he learned over the years were invaluable.
“There’s a lot that I have learned over the time and I have kept those skills maintained with training,” he said.
“I have seen things change with technology and I am always learning, there are still many things I have not learned.”
Ultimately, he said it was the “love” that has kept him in the SES so long.
“I just love everything about it because it’s just such a great thing to be involved in and I would love to see more people get involved,” he said.
“I encourage anyone to come out and have a look and then if you think it is for you then come and join.”
Mr Tye was not the only volunteer to receive an award on the evening with Tom Albury also presented with his 15-year national service medal.
