How volunteering can help reshape your life in retirement
I’m joined by two special guests: Inspector Gunnar Hardy, Commander of the Liverpool Unit of the NSW SES, and David Halliday, who recently stepped into the world of volunteering with the SES.
Imagine retiring after a lifetime of outdoor work and wondering, what’s next? For David Halliday, the answer came in the form of an orange uniform and a commitment to community—joining the SES.
On today’s podcast, I’m joined by two special guests: Inspector Gunnar Hardy, Commander of the Liverpool Unit, NSW SES, and David Halliday, a Prime Timer who recently stepped into the world of volunteering with the SES.
Many of you will already recognise David as one of the incredible moderators of our Epic Retirement Club, where he does a fantastic job keeping the community vibrant and engaged. Having him on the show to share his personal journey of finding purpose in this new phase of life is an absolute treat.
Today we explore the power of volunteering with the SES through David’s lens with a behind-the-scenes look at what it means to be part of this vital organisation.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE OF THE PODCAST HERE:
Highlights of the show:
I chat with Inspector Gunnar Hardy about what the SES does, the roles volunteers play in the SES, and how the mechanics of each unit works.
The SES are responsible for flood rescues, storm recovery, and even tsunami response—yes, that’s the SES. But it’s so much more than high-pressure rescues - we dive into the communities, the roles people play and the skills they do and don’t need to get involved.
The flexibility means people can contribute as little as two hours a week—or more during storm season. For those with physical limitations, roles in admin, logistics, or public communication offer equally valuable ways to get involved.
David’s why: Finding Purpose in Prime Time — Retirement wasn’t about slowing down for David—it was about finding something that kept him engaged and gave back to the community. After some reflection, he joined the SES, a move that not only filled his time but added purpose and structure to his life.
From the first moment he donned the orange uniform, David felt he was part of something bigger than himself—a professional team united by a common goal: to protect and serve the community during its most vulnerable moments.
David recounts the thrill and challenge of real incidents, like sealing a broken roof tile in a storm or assisting on a land search with SES water crews and police. These moments highlight the SES’s diverse scope and its critical role in emergency services.
The onboarding experience: David shares how the SES welcomes new recruits, guiding them through safety, field skills, and even asbestos training. He felt supported from day one.
Learning new skills: Even with a career spent outdoors, David found himself continually learning—ropes, scene management, and more. “You never stop improving,” he says.
Working as a team: One of his favourite aspects? Knowing he’s never alone. Every volunteer brings unique expertise, ensuring the team is always stronger together.
Feeling inspired? The SES is always looking for new recruits. David’s advice: “Reach out to your local unit. You’ll find a welcoming community, top-notch training, and a chance to make a real impact.”
🎧 Tune in for the full story and let David and Gunnar inspire you to find your own place in the SES—or wherever your volunteer journey may lead!
Have you found an organisation that has brought you a strong sense of purpose? Tell us your story in the comments here.
From Bec’s Desk
So many people get stuck in retirement, either repeating the same old routines or wondering where they’ll find structure, purpose, and belonging. That’s why chatting with Inspector Gunnar Hardy and David Halliday today was such a joy—it gave me the chance to dive into a topic we rarely hear about first-hand unless we know someone personally involved.
Many of you already know David as the incredible volunteer who co-ordinates the Epic Retirement Club—and does it with such heart and dedication. Hearing his voice and his story on the podcast was an absolute thrill. David shared how joining the SES has added a whole new layer of meaning to his life in retirement, proving that it’s never too late to try something new and impactful.
Volunteering can transform how we spend our time in Prime Time, so now I’m curious—how many of you have found purpose through volunteering? Take this poll and share your experiences with the Prime Time community.
This week has flown by as I’ve been at the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) Conference, deep in the industry’s latest developments. It’s all about keeping up to date so I can bring you the insights and updates that matter most.
Stay tuned to the Epic Newsletter this weekend for more takeaways and highlights from the conference. There’s so much happening, and I’ll make sure you don’t miss a thing.
I have a big request - we want to do an edition of the Prime Time podcast about your Epic Retirements - and how you’ve made changes in your life. I’d love you to send me a letter we can read out - or some questions we can answer. 🏝️ Tell us your stories 🏝️. We’re going to feature these stories in the podcast. email me at bec@primetimers.net. I can’t wait to read it!
Catch you next week, and in the meantime, make your Prime Time count!
Many thanks! Bec Wilson
Author, podcaster, guest speaker, retirement educator … Visit my website for more info about me, here
Order signed copies of How to Have an Epic Retirement for gifting season
You can now purchase a signed copy of How to Have an Epic Retirement. I’ve popped up an Australian online store where you can order your copy and get it in time for Christmas gift giving. It’s something I love to do.
If you’re a corporate and want to give signed copies as gifts - we’ve got a ‘bulk deal’ too. (Or don’t hesitate to contact me by email for larger bulk options).
Our next Edition of The Epic Retirement Flagship Course is now in planning. It will kick off in February 2025. I’ll be putting it on sale before Christmas knowing some want to lock in their place. There will be just four scheduled programs in 2025.
You can register your interest for our upcoming programs here — so you get notified when the 25% off early bird pricing drops. The dates are now available for our Feb-March ‘25 and April-June ‘25 programs.
We’re also offering the program to larger corporates—either to pay for individual places for their team members to come along or, if their teams are large enough, to run exclusive programs for their employees. So, if you’re part of a big organisation with lots of pre-retirees, give your HR team a nudge and let them know to give me a call.
Terrific informative podcast.