The extraordinary contributions of State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers were celebrated earlier this month at the Queensland Police Service International Women’s Day (IWD) event. Held annually, this year’s theme, ‘Balance the Scales’, highlighted the importance of fairness, equality and opportunity for all women and girls. 

The event recognised the remarkable efforts of individuals and teams across the police, SES and Marine Rescue Queensland who go above and beyond to serve their communities. Awards were presented to six outstanding women and one exceptional unit representing the SES across six categories. 

Reflecting on the significance of the awards, Chief Officer Dr Mark Armstrong CSC, shared, International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate the incredible contributions of women in our organisation and the vital role they play in strengthening our communities. 

“These awards highlight the dedication, resilience and selflessness of our SES volunteers and their commitment to supporting Queenslanders during times of need.” 

Dr Armstrong also acknowledged the broader impact of women in the SES. “These awards not only celebrate individual achievements but also highlight the collective strength of women in the SES. Their dedication and passion inspire us all to continue serving Queenslanders with integrity, respect and professionalism. Congratulations to all recipients.” 

Among the award recipients was Gabrielle Groves, Deputy Group Leader of the Inglewood SES Group, who received the Outstanding Leader Award. For Gabrielle, the recognition is deeply personal. “It means more to me than just receiving an Outstanding Leader Award; it represents the incredible women in my life who have guided, supported and mentored me along the way. This recognition is just as much theirs as it is mine.” 

Gabrielle’s journey with the SES began at a young age, inspired by her mother’s dedication to volunteering. “Watching my mum volunteer with the SES from such a young age inspired me to follow in her footsteps. It showed me the importance of giving back to the community, something I’m proud to continue today. I volunteer not only because I love it, but in the hope that my own kids will grow up seeing the same example and choose to give back, too, because if I can, why can’t they?’ 

When asked what makes the SES such a rewarding organisation for women, Gabrielle highlighted the strong sense of camaraderie within the team. “The SES is such a rewarding organisation, largely because of the close-knit dynamic of our ‘orange family’. We spend countless hours together training, responding to callouts and supporting one another through it all, and those shared experiences build strong bonds that feel like family.” 

She also emphasised the importance of fostering leadership opportunities for women within the SES. “There’s a deep respect within out team for every member, not just women, but for everyone who steps up to serve their community. At the same time, we remain passionate about supporting women in leadership, lifting each other up, encouraging one another and never dimming someone else’s light to shine brighter ourselves.”

The 2026 International Women’s Day awards not only celebrated the achievements of individual SES volunteers but also highlighted the collective strength and resilience of women across the organisation.