For six decades, NSW State Emergency Service (SES) volunteer Patricia Crowe been a constant and steady hand in incident management teams during flooding and storm events in the Clarence-Nambucca region.
Unit Commander of Clarence-Nambucca Capability Unit, Mrs Crowe marked 60 years of dedicated service to the SES last month, with a surprise celebration at her headquarters in Grafton.
Focussed on intelligence, operational support and logistics, Mrs Crowe happened across the SES in 1964 and has never looked back.
"It was during some weather in the sixties when they said, can you work the switch board? and I said 'oh yes and I can answer phones', and we went from there. I've just never left," Mrs Crowe explained.
"When I started out, women weren't frontline responders. They were taking calls and notes, it wasn't like today. Now, women are doing everything."
While a lot has changed in her 60 years with the Service, Mrs Crowe is still a dedicated leader who attends the unit twice a week to complete training, support members and complete tasks around the headquarters.
Mrs Crowe remembers when mobile phones were introduced, allowing those on call to leave the house while rostered on. However, it's the personal connections with fellow members that will stay with her forever.
"I've met some amazing people and we're still in contact. You know you might not work together in years, but you still touch base," she said.
"I have a very good team, and we work well together. I don't plan on stopping anytime soon because I enjoy it, and I like the people."
Acting Commissioner Debbie Platz APM congratulated Mrs Crowe on her six decades of service and thanked her for the tireless contribution she's made to protecting lives and creating safer communities.
"The NSW SES is built on highly skilled and committed volunteer like Pat who are true leaders," Acting Commissioner Platz said.
"Pat's wealth of knowledge of her community and how flooding impacts the Clarence region is invaluable.
"Not only that, but I know she has mentored out next generation of volunteers and leaders to upskill and empower them to succeed."
