Suncorp Group has used this year’s Wear Orange Wednesday to highlight the contributions of its employees who serve as State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers across Australia, reinforcing the insurer’s long-standing partnerships with the SES in Queensland, Victoria, and New South Wales.
Wear Orange Wednesday, or WOW Day, falls annually on the Wednesday of National Volunteer Week. In 2026, it was observed on 20 May, during the week of 18–24 May.
According to a feature published on the Suncorp Group website, a number of the company’s employees – referred to internally as “Sun Chasers” – volunteer with the SES in addition to their regular corporate roles. Three of those volunteers shared their experiences.
Sapna, who has worked at Suncorp for 20 years as the Customers Experiencing Vulnerability Lead in Motor Claims, joined Victoria SES two years ago. She described her motivation as a desire for purposeful service outside the workplace.
“I’d always wanted to do volunteer work – something with purpose. That’s when I found VICSES,” she said.
Sapna said Suncorp’s support made volunteering more accessible.
“Suncorp is very supportive, and that makes me feel valued not just at work, but like Suncorp is supporting my personal interests as well,” she said. “It takes a big heart, and a big vision, to be part of something bigger, and I commend Suncorp for that.”
Neil, a systems administrator and analyst in procurement, moved to Australia from South Africa before joining Queensland SES in 2022, motivated by the community support he witnessed during the east coast floods that year.
“I started seeing the SES all over the TV helping the community, so I put my application in,” he said. “Where we can’t physically help someone, we can guide them and help to build their confidence so they’re feeling less out of their depth.”
Bryan, an advanced capabilities lead in digital sales, said his interest in the SES dated back nearly four decades to his days as a Scout. The 2022 Brisbane floods ultimately prompted him to act.
“I saw one of the service trucks in the pouring rain, with SES volunteers helping people, and decided then to sign up,” he said.
Suncorp noted that the company has held a principal community partnership with the Queensland SES since 2020. Its brand AAMI has served as co-principal community partner of VICSES for more than 20 years and established a major partnership with NSW SES in 2023. Suncorp also offers employees unlimited paid emergency response leave to support their volunteer commitments.
