Meet Mumba:

Nicole Goddard

Associate Director, Customer Success‍

15 Years in Orange

Quick answer: Volunteering with the State Emergency Service (SES) offers profound community impact, lifelong friendships, and vital leadership skills. Over a 15-year journey, our Mumba team member evolved from a nervous recruit to an Incident Controller, proving that community service builds resilience and perfectly aligns with a culture of support, connection, and knowing your limits.

You want to make a difference. But finding the time, energy, and confidence to step into a volunteer role feels daunting. Between demanding day jobs, family commitments, and the need for personal downtime, the idea of pulling on an orange uniform and heading into a storm seems impossible

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It doesn't have to be this way. Volunteering isn't about having perfectly timed moments or boundless energy. It is about showing up. For National Volunteer Week, we sat down with Mumba's Associate Director of Customer Success, Nicole Goddard, to discuss her 15-year milestone with the SES. Her story proves that giving back transforms not just the community, but the volunteer.

One whim. Two teams. Countless lives changed.

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What inspired you to start volunteering with SES, and what has kept you motivated over the past 15 years?

Honestly, there was no grand moment of inspiration. I saw something on social media, thought "why not," and dragged my mum and older brother along to an information night. We all signed up together that night. They've since moved on to other forms of volunteering, but I like to think I had something to do with planting that seed.What started as a hobby has become something I'm deeply passionate about. Over 15 years, my motivation has shifted from looking for something to do with my time to genuinely wanting to give back to my community and be there for people in their most vulnerable moments. And along the way, I've made friendships I'd call family. The bonds you form when you're digging deep alongside others in tough situations, you won't find those anywhere else.

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Can you share a memorable moment or experience during your time with SES that highlights the impact of your work?

There isn't one single moment, but two come to mind that sit at very different ends of my journey. My very first SES job was a tree down blocking access to a resident's home. It sounds simple, but I was so nervous that I begged my mum to come along , and she did, suiting up as the fourth member of our crew. The two experienced members I attended with that day are still very dear friends of mine, and they may not even realise the impact they had on me. Just by doing their job, they gave me the confidence to believe I was capable. That moment shaped everything that followed, and it's a big part of why I'm so passionate about training others now. I want to be that person for someone else. More recently, I had the privilege of serving as Incident Controller for a two-week event, responsible for the full first week. Work was busy and I couldn't step away from my day job, so I'd finish at the office, pull on the oranges, and head straight to the unit. Most nights I wasn't home until the early hours, then up and back at my desk a few hours later. Not sustainable long term, but knowing I was helping my community through something significant made every tired morning worth it. Having both my Mumba team and my SES team rally around me to make it work meant everything.

‍What advice would you give to someone considering volunteering, and what has this journey taught you personally?

Just give it a go. You don't need a specific reason or a perfectly timed moment in your life. I signed up on a whim and it's become one of the most meaningful things I've ever done.Volunteering has taught me that sometimes you need to put others before yourself, but equally, that you need to have the capacity to do so. It's OK to say no when you're running on empty. The safety of yourself and your team always comes first, and knowing your limits is part of being a good volunteer. What keeps me coming back is knowing that even a small action in someone's worst moment can make a real difference. I get enormous joy from that. And increasingly, I find just as much fulfilment in training and assessing others, helping people begin their own volunteering journey and grow in confidence along the way. I could not speak more highly of giving your time, in whatever way you're able to. It gives back far more than it takes.

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Whether you are clearing trees, directing resources, or simply standing beside someone on their worst day, the impact is real. Volunteering gives back far more than it takes. Find a local organisation. Attend an information night. Take that first step.

To all the volunteers out there, thank you for your selfless dedication and for making a difference in the lives of so many. Your impact is immeasurable, and we are endlessly grateful.

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