Mine rescue crew aims for top honours, again

FOLLOWING on from their successful participation the 2022 Victorian Mine Rescue Competition, or VMRC, a Mandalay Costerfield based team of specialised first responders is preparing to defend their title.

This year’s competition will be held at Stawell Gold Mine and a nearby oval between 20 and 22 October.

“Our team won best overall at last year’s event and is looking forward to competing again this year,” said senior safety coordinator Scott Symons.

The VMRC is a mine rescue and emergency response capacity building exercise.

Teams from across Victoria and Australia compete against each other in a variety of simulated emergency situations to test their skills and share their knowledge with each other.

“Ten teams will be competing in a range of events including rope exercises, underground search and rescue, firefighting, first aid, breathing apparatus and theory,” said Symons.

The awards presentation will be held at Halls Gap on Sunday afternoon following the competition.

“The competition is a critical part of the mining industry’s efforts to support highly trained rescue personnel across Australia and contributes greatly to the minerals industry’s commitment to zero harm,” said James Sorahan executive director of the Minerals Council of Australia.

“The simulated exercises faced by the teams at the competition help prepare them for any emergencies on site.

“Emergency response agencies attend the competition to help enable mine rescue personnel and first responders to be prepared if called upon in operations throughout the state.”

Over the last 30 years, VMRC has hosted teams from all over Australia and held competitions in locations including Latrobe Valley, Wonthaggi, Bendigo and Seymour.

Next year’s competition will be held at Fosterville and Bendigo in March.