COMMUNITY fundraising efforts have helped secure two new trail bikes for the State Emergency Service Ballarat unit.
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More than $10,000 was raised to help fund the new trail bikes, which SES Ballarat unit controller John Maggi said would be beneficial to better serving the Ballarat and district community.
“The motorcycles will be particularly valuable during land searches, but will also be very much appreciated across a wide range of other SES duties,” he said.
Mr Maggi said without the help of the community and their donations, the new 400cc Suzuki motorcycles would not be possible.
“These motorcycles have not been available in the past due to lack of funding, even though they have been on our wishlist for over 10 years,” he said.
“Now our dream has been realised, due to the hard work from members and the generosity of the Ballarat and district community.”
Once members of the unit have been trained to use the motorcycles, they will become available for all future searches.
“We’re hoping to get two or three members trained up in the next few weeks,” Mr Maggi said.
“We want them operating for the summer season when we tend to get most of our services.
“Previous searches have shown that motorcycles are a valuable tool in covering difficult ground where four-wheel drives are not able to access.
“Also, using motorcycles, members are able to search much more quickly than those searching on foot.”
With the centenary of Anzac Day fast approaching, Mr Maggi said the motorcycles would also benefit crowd control efforts during any large-scale events.