News

Australia’s largest search and rescue training exercise, Navshield, took place in the Goulburn River National Park in the Hunter region of New South Wales this weekend.

The event, hosted by the New South Wales State Emergency Service, attracted more than 500 competitors from the NSW SES, agencies around Australia and the general public.

Entrants navigated rugged terrain for up to 27 hours from checkpoint to checkpoint, using only map and compass.

“Anyone here at Navshield could be called on to search for a lost person in the bush. That could be a lost child, a lost dementia patient, anybody in distress,” said Event Controller Jim Collier from the NSW SES Bush Search & Rescue Unit.

“Under those circumstances those people need to be able to navigate accurately, with confidence and safety to a particular location.

“So this exercise is upskilling people to find lost kids in the bush. And it does it in an entertaining, convivial environment. So it’s a win-win. They get upskilled, and have a great time at the same time,” he said. 

The 100 square kilometre course was traversed by entrants from the NSW SES, NSW Police Force, NSW Ambulance, NSW Rural Fire Service, ACT Emergency Services Agency, NSW Volunteer Rescue Association, WICEN, Victoria Bush Search & Rescue, Australian Defence Force, St Johns Ambulance, Bushwalking Clubs and rogainers and orienteers.

Navshield, which has been running annually for 34 years, is a great opportunity for agencies around Australia to share skills and build relationships, according to NSW SES Deputy Commissioner Debbie Platz. 

“It’s an opportunity for people to hone their skills in land rescue searches, but also an opportunity for many rescue agencies to come together and network and build cohesion so we can serve our communities better,” she said. 

This year’s 27-hour, two-day event was won by a team from the Sydney University Bushwalkers Club, featuring Aiden Cameron, Brendan Davies, Alexandra Repetto and Richard Wood. 

This year’s 9-hour, one-day event was won by the Fletcher Group Ride team featuring Michael Cann, Dan Fowler and Bradley Jackson. 

For emergency help in floods and storms, call the NSW SES on 132 500. In life threatening situations, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.