Join us in recognising and celebrating the incredible work of the Queensland State Emergency Service (SES). This page showcases some of the key events this year.
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Run Army
Run Army is more than just a running or walking event; it is a celebration of resilience, health and community spirit. It honours our front-line emergency responder community, including the Queensland State Emergency Service, Australian Army, Queensland Police Service, Queensland Fire Department, Queensland Ambulance Service, Marine Rescue Queensland and Surf Life Saving Queensland.
The Queensland SES is proud to partner with Run Army. In 2027, our Orange Army will be out in full force, championing active lifestyles, community wellbeing, and fundraising for important causes. Run Army will be held in Brisbane on 11 April, Townsville on 18 April, and virtually throughout March and April.
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WOW! - Wear Orange Wednesday
Wear Orange Wednesday (WOW Day), taking place on Wednesday, 19 May 2027,is a national day dedicated to celebrating and showing appreciation for the incredible SES volunteers in Queensland and across Australia. These selfless individuals support our communities during storms, floods, and other emergencies, often in the most challenging circumstances.
Each year, WOW Day coincides with National Volunteer Week (17–23 May), a time to recognise the invaluable contributions of volunteers from all walks of life. The theme for last year’s National Volunteer Week was "Your Year to Volunteer", encouraging everyone to reflect on the importance of volunteering and consider how they might contribute to their communities. As we celebrate WOW Day, let’s take a moment to thank the volunteers in our lives and think about how we, too, can make a difference.
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Regional awards
Each May we honour the hard work and outstanding efforts of the SES staff and volunteers in each of our seven SES regions across Queensland. Regional events are held around the state to recognise our volunteers and units who have gone above and beyond in supporting their communities.
For more information on what is happening the regions in 2027, contact the Regional Headquarters.
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SES Week
During SES Week, we recognise and celebrate the dedication, hard work and outstanding contribution of SES staff and volunteers across Queensland. A significant event in the SES calendar, SES Week provides an opportunity to acknowledge the vital role our people play in supporting communities before, during and after emergencies.
The week culminates in the State Awards Ceremony, where recipients are selected from regional award winners announced in May and recognised with the highest honours in the SES. It is also an opportunity to thank our volunteers for the commitment, resilience and support they provide to help Queensland communities recover from emergencies and disasters.
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Past events
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50th Anniversary and Parade
Thanks to all those that joined us throughout 2025 and 2026 in celebrating 50-years of dedicated service by the Queensland State Emergency Service (SES).
On 6 June 2026, the celebrations culminated in a vibrant parade through Brisbane’s CBD, followed by a community showcase in King George Square.
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National Disaster Rescue Challenge
The National Disaster Rescue Challenge (NDRC) brings together State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers from across Australia to test, strengthen and showcase their rescue capabilities in realistic, high-pressure scenarios.
Held periodically, the Challenge provides a valuable opportunity for teams to build skills, share knowledge and learn from one another while promoting excellence in disaster and rescue operations.
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