General News
16 September, 2025
Talbot hosts second Emergency Services Day
Following the success of last year’s launch, Talbot Primary School hosted its second annual Emergency Services Day, immersing local students in their most important tasks.
Talbot Primary School principal Tess Kelly said after last year’s popularity, local schools were keen to see the event return.
“As soon as we finished last year’s one, we knew we wanted to do it again, and the schools knew they wanted to come for the day,” she said.
“We have quite a few schools that have come together, we had our first one last year, and this one has been just as successful.”
Students from Amphitheatre, Moonambool, Timor and Talbot Kindergarten joined Talbot Primary School to gain an understanding of the jobs emergency services do locally and the critical role they have in the community.
Talbot Fire Brigade, Maryborough Police, Ambulance Victoria and SES gave demonstrations, showcased equipment and vehicles, and answered a range of questions from students.
“Each service has done a great job to come out again, we love it when our local SES and CFA come out to visit, and we have also got Ambulance Victoria and Victoria Police as well,” Ms Kelly said.
She said part of the day is the major social aspect, which is vital for small schools.
“Instead of having our own approximately 40 kids here at Talbot, we have got about 120 kids here today which is lovely. A lot of them know each other because they play sports together in the community, so it’s nice they can see friends and familiar faces,” Ms Kelly said.
“It is also nice when primary schools come together, doing the Emergency Services Day does help us tick off a little bit of our curriculum as well. If we can all do it together, that makes it easier for all of the schools.
“We also have local community members attending who have children who aren’t connected to any of our schools, but we have opened it up to the community so they could come and see it as well.”
Activities on the day were broken up by a barbecue hosted by parents, with the money raised going back into local emergency services.
“Our parents have rallied in their volunteering to get their barbecue going. It’s a gold coin for a sausage, and all of those proceeds will go back into our local services, like Talbot CFA, and Talbot SES,” Ms Kelly said.
“The social time the students have while they eat lunch is one of the best things we can do too for small rural schools, and they get to have that engagement with other people in the community.”
Recognising the importance of informing kids how to respond in emergency situations, Ms Kelly is already keen to host the event again.
“Next year we are hoping to go bigger and potentially have even more services and an even better day as well,” she said.
