From floodwater assistance to bush search and rescue and even responding to serious accidents on our roads – the State Emergency Service (SES) is made up of over 9,000 volunteers in New South Wales.

And, in the Upper Hunter, a group of 16 volunteers form the Murrurundi SES unit which is holding strong with record turnout.

On Wednesday night four local young men hit a special milestone – their first five years of service.

Starting out when they were 16, Samuel Hart, Liam Hobbs, Kiaran Hobbs and Aaron Mostyn were awarded their five year service pins and certificates at an SES gathering in Murrurundi. 

The new Upper Hunter Cluster Local Controller Benjamin Maxwell and Murrurundi SES Unit Controller Bob Standen congratulated them before presenting the boys with their awards.

“I personally appreciate the effort you put in, it is hard work and demanding at times but you have all come through your teenage years – I’m proud of the lot of you and I congratulate you on your service,” Bob Standen said.

Benjamin Maxwell said he was looking forward to working with the Murrurundi unit and the recent reshuffle will mean there is more of a team focus if a major event were to occur.

“From myself, well done – I definitely congratulate you all and thank you for your service and look forward to working with you,” he said.

In their first five years the men have already faced storms in Newcastle, Port Macquarie and Lismore with some volunteering their service when Cyclone Yassie hit Queensland in 2011.

Twins, Liam and Kiaran Hobbs who work at Scone Toyota said they had also faced the hailstorm that hit Murrurundi a couple of years ago.

“The wind and storm damage across the area was extensive and there were 60 cars in total damaged as well as flooding,” they said.

The Murrurundi SES unit was built in 2000 and redone in 2005 and unit controller Bob Standen admitted he was proud of the fact the unit was still holding strong.

“The biggest thing us volunteers are proud of is that turnover is the highest it’s been in years – we are happy up here and have run our own show successfully for quite a while,” he said.

Mr Standen said out of the 16 volunteers there were four Swiftwater flood rescue technicians.

“There’s probably around 148 years of service sitting in this room and we still get about a 90 per cent turnout, which is very high,” he said.

Steven Taylor was also awarded for his long service, but was unable to be present on the night.