Emergency service providers across the Mornington Peninsula, including CFA, SES, Life Saving Victoria, and Marine Search and Rescue have received funding to support their ongoing service to the local community as part of the Victorian Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP) grants. VESEP grants provide funding for volunteer groups to purchase essential operational equipment, vehicles and appliances, and minor facility improvements.

Minister for Emergency Services Jaclyn Symes announced the 2023-24 VESEP grant recipients that will share in almost $15 million to purchase equipment and enhance emergency response capability to ensure community safety.  

Mt Martha CFA will use their $65,334 in VESEP funding to purchase a brand-new Field Command Vehicle XLT, which will allow them to better assist the community during an emergency. Portsea Surf Life Saving Club Inc will be significantly upgrading their fleet of rescue vehicles, including a new Can-Am Defender MAX DPS, a galvanised IRB Beach Trailer, and 2 Inflatable Rescue Crafts, with $46,179 in assistance through the fund.

Volunteer Marine Rescue - Mornington will be purchasing a new steel type carport and upgraded security facilities to safeguard their base of operations, thanks to grants of $21,593 and $6,664 respectively, while the Southern Peninsula Rescue Squad are receiving $10,059 to acquire a collar and 5 tube set to improve their beach rescue capacity.

Other projects receiving funding include:

• Dromana Bay Life Saving Club: $2,303 to construct a dividing wall, plaster, and install door, jams and architraves.

• Gunnamatta Surf Life Saving Club: $17,051 for 4 Bennett Rescue Boards, 4 Nipper Boards, 4 First Aid Kits, an Oxygen Therapy Kit, 2 Binoculars and a Thundercat Gen III.

• Mt Martha Life Saving Club: $25,325 for a new Thundercat IRB, 2 Tohatsu 25hp Motors, LSV Portable Radio, 2 Bennett Rescue Boards with Racking.

Since 2015 the Allan Labor Government has provided $123 million in VESEP grants, ensuring volunteer groups throughout the state have the resources, equipment and facilities they need to continue their vital work supporting local communities.

Through this round of grants, CFA brigades have received more than $10.8 million, Victoria State Emergency Service units received more than $2.4 million, Life Saving Victoria’s surf lifesaving clubs received more than $850,000 and Marine Search and Rescue crews received more than $350,000.  

These service providers are just some of the 233 applicants to receive a grant as part of the 2023-24 program.  

For more information or to view the full list of grant recipients, visit emv.vic.gov.au/vesep.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh

“Emergency service volunteers work incredibly hard and put their lives on the line to keep us safe, and they deserve the best equipment and facilities possible.”  

“Congratulations to all the groups receiving grants. We are all so grateful for the work you do to protect our communities.”

Quote attributable to Southern Peninsula Rescue Squad Secretary Denis Baguley

“We’re very pleased with this funding, as it enables us to replace the external collar on one of our boats which badly needs replacing, allowing continuance of our two-boat rescue capabilities as we go into this very busy period.”