When we are whinging about the television signal dropping out in the wind, they are out in that gale, cutting up a tree that has fallen across the road.

When we are sitting by the warm fire, in the dark, with no power, they are helping remove a fallen branch from someone’s home.

I hardly slept a wink on Monday night, with the wind blowing and branches falling around my house. The kids were restless and the tele reception was shocking.

But then I thought about those guys and girls out in it, the volunteers that give their time to help others.

I know many of them and they are not out for recognition or a pat on the back, they are hard-working people who genuinely want to help others in their time of need.

I thought about how cold and tired they must be and wondered how many ‘jobs’ they would be called to during the night.

I was snuggled up in bed with my electric blanket on when a loud bang woke me at 3am. I looked out to see it was just a branch that had fallen on the driveway and, again, I wondered where those State Emergency Service volunteers were right then.

No doubt they were on a roof, in the middle of a road or helping someone in our community in their time of need.

When the wind comes along, the storms hit, the rains flood or the bush fires rage, it brings out their best and we should be thankful for their dedication.

So, when your power goes out, the wind is howling outside or your television signal is pixelated, don’t complain, think of those volunteers, as well as the paid members of the emergency services out there, cold, wet and putting their lives on the line to ensure our community remains safe.

Thank you.