Love Blossoms Amidst the Chaos: SES Volunteers Find Romance While Saving Lives
In the heart of Sydney and along the NSW Central Coast, as devastating floods wreaked havoc, a different kind of flourishing was taking place – love. While emergency services personnel were busy battling the elements and rescuing those in need, a surprising number of romantic connections were being forged within the ranks of the State Emergency Service (SES). It seems that shared bravery, unwavering trust, and the adrenaline of disaster response can be a powerful catalyst for romance.
From Training to True Love: The Campbelltown Connection
The Campbelltown SES unit in Sydney’s southwest has become an unlikely cupid, fostering not one, but four simultaneous engagements among its volunteers. Among these couples are Belinda Jackson and Joel Harris, whose love story began not with a candlelit dinner, but with a shared commitment to community service.
Belinda first spotted Joel at an SES training event. “Joel was a face in the crowd within the Scouting movement, and when I came to an SES training weekend, I thought ‘I know that face, let’s start a conversation’, and it’s led us to where we are today,” she recalled. Their bond was further cemented during the harrowing 2022 Hawkesbury floods.
Joel, a volunteer with nearly two decades of experience, elaborated on the unique strength of their connection. “To be able to get into a boat in a rescue situation with someone you can trust wholeheartedly is really special. I can look at Bel and she knows exactly what I want to do and vice versa,” he explained. “We know each other’s tells; it comes as second nature.” This unspoken understanding, honed through high-stakes operations, proved to be the bedrock of their relationship. Belinda, who joined the SES in 2013, found that working alongside Joel during the floods amplified their connection. The couple is now joyfully planning their wedding, with Joel having popped the question during a picturesque cruise at golden hour.
A Second Chance at Love: From Rejection to Romance
Stuart Densham’s journey to finding love with Heather Woods also had its share of unexpected twists, proving that sometimes, a little persistence (and a lot of charm) can overcome initial hurdles. Heather had, in fact, rejected Stuart on dating apps a remarkable four times before they finally met in person.
The first real-life encounter took place at the Campbelltown unit. Stuart vividly remembers the moment he saw her. “I saw her walking in for the first time and noticed it was the woman that rejected me three times,” he admitted with a chuckle. Despite the rocky start, for Stuart, it was undeniably “love at first sight.” Heather also recognised him immediately, confirming the spark. “That’s when it all clicked and I knew he was the one,” she shared. Their first date was so romantic that Heather found herself falling asleep in Stuart’s arms – a testament to the comfort and security she felt.
Their proposal was equally heartfelt, with Stuart orchestrating a surprise picnic in the beautiful Southern Highlands. The couple is set to tie the knot in November, a celebration of a love that defied initial rejections.
Love at First Training Night and a Star Wars Proposal
The Campbelltown SES unit has a knack for matchmaking, as newlywed Shawna Bradley can attest. She met her now-husband, Michael, at the unit, and her heart was captured on his very first training night.
“The very first night he showed up for training, we were demonstrating something for our rescue comp team, and I thought I’d show off and fell flat on my butt right in front of his face,” Shawna recounted with a laugh. “He thought it was really funny, but I didn’t… I was trying to show off because I thought he was really cute.” Michael, a self-proclaimed Star Wars enthusiast, chose a fitting occasion for his proposal, getting down on one knee on May the 4th.
Meanwhile, Rose-Marie Salem and Shaun Goulding also discovered their shared interests and a mutual attraction after meeting at an SES training event. Their professional lives often see them on the same teams during storm incidents, but they maintain a strict professional demeanour while on the job. “We’re often on the same team for storm incidents, but we’re strictly teammates and we’re professional. As soon as we’re finished on that job, we’re back to being a couple,” Rose-Marie explained. Their relationship has blossomed, and they are now planning their wedding for 2027, another testament to the enduring power of love found in the most unexpected of circumstances.
