By Dongyun Kwon
The longtime Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) member was honoured to receive the Emergency Services Medal on Australia Day.
Mr Peter John Weeks OAM joined the SES Alexandra Unit in September 1971, as a dedicated operationally active member.
Over his remarkable 50 plus years tenure, Mr Weeks displayed unwavering dedication and leadership in various frontline roles.
Mr Weeks was humbled by winning the special medal as he gave credit to his colleagues and family.
“I’m very privileged to receive it. It’s something I didn’t expect,” he said.
“Obviously, someone in SES would want to recognise what I’ve done over the years.
“Having a really good team and support from family enabled me to be able to get out and make a difference in the community.”
Initially serving as an ordinary member, he quickly ascended to become a unit officer, holding the position for an impressive 42 years.
In this role, Mr Weeks led numerous operations, including search and rescue, storm damage and boating rescue.
Since 2015, he has served as the controller of the SES Alexandra Unit, overseeing all unit operations and ensuring readiness for emergency situations.
In response to the October 2022 Victorian floods, Mr Weeks led his unit to rescue people in danger.
His leadership was pivotal in managing over 140 requests for assistance, including the dramatic rescue of a young family from Acheron, where a five-month-old baby and pets were saved from floodwaters.
“Luckily, I’ve got a really good team behind me, and they were able to take responsibility for a lot of the operational tasks, so I was able to be deployed with a couple of the other members to assist with rescue from the rescue boat,” he said.
“We did numerous rescues during the floods.”
Beyond emergency response, the SES Alexandra Unit controller has driven numerous infrastructure improvements within the unit, ensuring its readiness for various emergencies.
His effective management of the State-owned High Angle Rescue cache and collaborative efforts with AusNet Services to restore power to over 100 homes following a vital power line collapse near the historic Acheron Breakaway Bridge further underscore his commitment to community service.
“I wasn’t the only one involved, but we’ve established a high angle rescue team for the Lower Hume, and it’s made up of the SES Alexandra, Marysville units and Yea CFA,” Mr Weeks said.
“Part of the response that we had during the 2022 floods was the tree brought down the power line across the river, and we were able to get a new cable across the river.
“We had to enter into the flood water to get to the bridge, and then we got a cable across the old bridge that had been washed away. We were able to get power back onto about 100 homes.”
Mr Week’s 50-year tenure with VICSES, coupled with his leadership during numerous emergencies and relentless efforts to enhance community safety, exemplify his distinguished service.
His proactive approach to emergency management, coupled with his advocacy for infrastructure improvements and community preparedness, underscore his lasting impact on the Alexandra region and beyond.
“I’ve been a member of the SES for over 50 years and controller of the unit for nearly 11 years,” the medal recipient said.
“It’s been very interesting. We’ve saved many lives and that’s what really makes a big difference.”
