KINDNESS starts at home, at school and in the community, and for young 9-year-old Alex Magner Karon, she experienced an act of kindness from San Remo SES Unit Controller Mandy Chancellor.
Alex’s mum has been supporting her independence and allowed Alex to take a quick stroll to San Remo IGA to purchase ingredients for her to make muffins for the family.
In an attempt to do so, Alex wandered the aisles of the supermarket doing her best to shop on her own. Seeing young Alex struggle with locating some items, SES Unit Controller Mandy Chancellor (in uniform), whilst collecting some items herself for her Unit’s training night, stepped in to ask Alex if she needed a hand.
Without any credit for her random act of kindness, Mandy assisted Alex through the local IGA, helping her gather the ingredients she may need and purchased the goods for young Alex.
In surprise, and with great gratitude Alex travelled home and couldn’t wait to tell her mum about the kindness of a lady in IGA. To show appreciation, without knowing Mandy’s name, Alex’s mother Regina posted to the Phillip Island Community Notice Board writing…
“What a beautiful place we live in! My daughter went to IGA to buy ingredients to make our family muffins. To the kind lady that helped her find the ingredients, spoke with her, and went on to pay for the shopping, a very heartfelt thank you. My daughter came home and said, “Mum, I’m very grateful for this lady I met,” and went on to explain her experience with this lovely woman. Thank you again, whoever you are.”
Mandy reached out to say “You are very welcome – the lady was me. You have a beautiful daughter, and it was my pleasure.” Before she went on to write, “sometimes random acts of kindness can create moments in life that can impact a whole community. Always be the best version of ourselves.”
Mandy then contacted Regina and invited young Alex to come into the station and take a tour.
Mandy explained that her random act of kindness was just the values she holds as a person and what she has learnt during her time with the SES and as a leader of volunteers.
“An important aspect in SES is decision making, and during my encounter with Alex I hope I encouraged her to be independent and to think of what to do next time – for example make a shopping list and take that along with her,” said Mandy.
With strong leadership in the SES, Mandy emphasised that “through experience and with a background in arbitration and conciliation, I have gained skills and developed tools – learning how to look at a problem from different aspects. This coupled with a drive for safety first, both for members and the community, and a genuine love for what I do and the people I do it with, then I feel as a leader I am instilling qualities not just valued by SES but also striving to make every member the very best version of themselves.”
Mandy went on to explain that the San Remo SES unit welcome volunteers all year round.
“I hope by making this impact in young Alex’s life that she values what she’s learnt in that situation and takes it away with her.”
This was a random act of kindness, displaying the values of a volunteer SES worker within the community.
“Here at the SES, we assist other emergency services including Ambulance Victoria and Victoria Police. There are some situations where we are the control agency, sometimes we support others; however, at all times we are working together as a team.”
“Every member must assess the risk in every situation,” said Mandy.
Decision-making skills are taught through SES training and through leadership where leaders genuinely care about members.
Mandy strongly encourages the community to explore joining as a volunteer and not let barriers such as being time poor or having doubts in what skills you could bring to SES deter you. “You might be surprised at what you can offer the SES and you will certainly get fulfilment from any level of involvement.”
November 18 is the SES fundraising day, so keep an eye out for volunteers on patrol for donations and support the voluntary work that helps the broader community.