BANNOCKBURN, VIC. — Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) Bannockburn Unit’s emergency response capacity has received an exciting upgrade following the opening of a brand-new home for its dedicated volunteer cohort.
Officially unveiled on Friday, October 30, the unit’s modern facility features a three-bay motor room, expansive training space and additional storage capacity for vehicles and equipment, providing a major boost to volunteers’ capacity to train for and ultimately respond to emergencies in their community.
The new purpose-built Dann Street headquarters replaces the unit’s former shared arrangement with the Bannockburn Country Fire Authority (CFA), also offering members their own kitchen, wellbeing spaces and dedicated offices and boasting a solar power system featuring battery storage to support efficient energy usage.
“VICSES Bannockburn Unit’s brand-new headquarters will provide a modern and fit-for-purpose base for members to continue supporting their community in its time of need and reflect the professional service VICSES provides every day across Victoria,” VICSES Chief Executive Officer, Rob Purcell, said.
VICSES Bannockburn Unit volunteers welcomed VICSES Chief Officer Alistair Drayton, Deputy Chief Officer Greg Swindells and Geelong MP Chris Couzens for Friday’s official unveiling, with local stakeholders, emergency service partners and neighbouring VICSES units also represented at the celebration.
Funded by the State Government, the state-of-the-art facility comes as the cohort of more than 20 VICSES Bannockburn Unit volunteers prepares to honour the unit’s 50th year of service to Victorian communities in 2027, ensuring members have the headquarters they need to continue supporting Bannockburn’s growing population into the future.
“As the unit prepares to celebrate 50 years of service to its community in 2027, it’s exciting [that] members will be able to do so from a state-of-the-art facility purpose-built for their needs,” VICSES CEO Rob Purcell said.
A highly committed cohort, VICSES Bannockburn Unit volunteers remarkably hold almost 300 years of combined volunteer experience, an average of more than a decade per member.
VICSES Bannockburn Unit volunteers were called to more than 110 emergency incidents in 2025/26, including almost 90 relating to storm damage and 13 road crash rescues, reflecting the diverse skill set they lean on in service of Bannockburn and its surrounding communities.
Part of the Barwon Unit Support Area, VICSES Bannockburn Unit volunteers were also regularly deployed to assist neighbouring units this past year, including at the devastating Wye River flash flooding event in January 2026 as record-breaking rainfall fell in the area.
