Navshield 09

After our success of last year we were quietly confident as we headed into this year’s Navshield. We’d retained the same team as last year and with the knowledge that this years event was to be held nice and close we were looking forward to a good walk.

Clear skies, cool nights and mild days lead up to our departure on the Friday night. We only had to travel to Glenbrook, in the lower Blue Mts so we chose to leave late having a nice Italian dinner before heading out to the ‘hash house’.

After setting up camp and marking maps we set about planning a winning route. Our plan was simple, an anti-clockwise loop around the course and if that failed we could easily comprise to ensure we got back on time.

Saturday, and on que we were underway. Not too many seemed to share our plan which had us brimming with confidence, but alas our navigation didn’t seem to fall into place. We hit our first checkpoint but an oversight had us miss the next one and this took the wind out of our sails. While we pressed on it was never with the perfection of last year and it’s this perfection that’s required to achieve a high result.

By the time we passed through our second radio checkpoint, Mick was feeling the effects of some bad knees, which in turn had slowed our pace. As night fell we were still a few km’s out of base but Mick was still keen to push on. Armed with good headlamps we took on a few more checkpoints. However, time was starting to work against us and as we searched for our last checkpoint there was only 15min of time remaining and we were still along way from home. Eventually we had to cut our losses and head for base. Regrettably we arrived back at base 6min late, which incurred us with a 60 point penalty and an 11th place overall.

While our day hadn’t been what I’d expected, it was still a very enjoyable and memorable day. It taught me to ‘be never over confident’. Over confidence is your worst enemy.

Long weekend

The June long weekend in our household was a most enjoyable time, spent mostly with family. While Leonie had to work Saturday and Sunday I had promised the kids that we’d go camping. Just Dad and the kids for a night camping at Carrington falls. I don’t know who was more excited, them or me.

After they each packed their own bags we headed off about lunchtime on Saturday, the idea wasn’t to go far but to just be in the bush and it wasn’t long before we were setting up camp. The kids each made their own beds before taking off in search of adventure. We rode our bikes, played by the creek and in general enjoyed the outdoors. I had a fire going as night fell which in itself was fun for the kids. We ate dinner around the fire and it wasn’t long before they were mesmerised by the flames and soon fell asleep.

Sunday was a cool morning, but the kids were up early enjoying being out in the bush and were soon off running around again. While they entertained themselves I packed up and we headed for home. In the afternoon we attended a local caching event. It was the annual Odee’s dog birthday event and once again the kids had a great time playing with everyone while I got to catch up with a few friends.

On Monday we all headed off for a days 4x4ing with a few friends from SES. Our closest playground is the bushland around Yalwal and as always we had a lot of fun exploring the endless tracks that cover this area. No-one had any real damage to report, which was good, but there were a few fun moments where others struggled with various rock steps etc. It truly was a good way to cap off a good long weekend.

Wave-FM Breakfast Challenge

Some months ago one of the local radio stations contacted us (Wollongong SES) asking whether we could assist them with their breakfast challenge. The request fell to me and after making contact with Wave-FM the challenge was made clear. As it turns out the 3 breakfast presenters are often challenged to undertake some kind of crazy stuff and this time they wanted Wollongong SES to help. It was quickly decided that an abseil from the SES State Headquarters building would be a fitting challenge.

Months of planning were crammed into 10 days when it was decided to combine ‘Volunteers Week’ with the breakfast challenge. Administratively and logistically things slowly fell into place. The day before the planned abseil we met with the 3 presenters for a safety briefing. Jade and Dave were very excited about the challenge while Greg was unsure of just what he’d got himself into.

13th May was jump day, could that be an omen! Time would tell. With many of our VR operators on hand and a few other members helping fly the orange flag we headed to the roof of SHQ. It’s amazing how a 6-story building can look so high from the bottom or likewise from the roof. In actual fact the abseil was probably more like 8 storeys once the basement and roof were included.

A tricky rigging system was required to ensure that 3 abseilers could simultaneously abseil from the building. But soon enough our 3 broadcasters were precariously hanging from their ropes ready to take the plunge. No sooner did they start and Dave was flying to the ground, soon after, Greg touched down and after a small hiccup with Jades excessive friction she too was on the ground. Next to go was the Director General of SES, Murray Kerr. He too showed great skills and was soon on the ground.

After the formalities of the day were complete most of the SES team on hand also shared in the spoils and abseiled from the SES building. What a great day and thank you to my fellow SES members for your assistance.

What a week

Its school holidays and that means a week spent with my eldest daughter. We had planned an action packed week. Everything from a trip to the zoo, to some local outdoor activities. Culminating in a weekend camping trip to the Watagans with some friends.

The week started out well, our trip to the zoo was a family affair. We caught a train, had a ride on the ferry and a bus. Most of it as the heavens opened up on us, but that didn’t reduce our enthusiasm, the kids loved seeing all the animals as we wandered around the zoo.

AJ and Sam started swimming classes on Monday morning, but it was Ethan who had us occupied. He’d developed these excruciating pains in his lower tummy. Eventually they become unbearable and we took him to emergency, but some 5hrs late r we were home with no real diagnosis.

Tuesday was my day with the kids and it was none stop go. Swimming first, the Putt-putt golf and then a few caches to find. Plus my parents were at home doing some odd jobs around the place. But once again it was Ethan who stole the show. His stomach pains were back and as strong as ever. Leonie once again took him to emergency, this time we had a slight improvement in the service and diagnosis we received. However some hours later we were told to go home as it would be all-right.

Wednesday started with the usual swimming lessons for the girls. Ethan’s tummy was presently behaving itself. Oh how that would change. The family enjoyed a relaxing day till late afternoon when once again Ethan was screaming the house down. A 3rd trip to emergency was decided, but I could only think that we’d be sent home again unsatisfied with the outcome. Leonie had other ideas and finally we were seen to by a senior doctor who immediately admitted Ethan to the childrens’ ward. While we were no closer to a cause we were thankful that now we may get some proper attention.

Leonie and Ethan spent Wednesday and Thursday night in hospital where Ethan was diagnosed as having a lymph node infection which was restricting bowel movement. Don’t ask me where kids get these things from. Anyway these 2 days were busy with hospital visits, AJ having a sleepover at her friends house and me entertaining the remaining child who hadn’t deserted her Dad. We had dinner out (McDonalds) and then roughed each other up as we played around the house.

Friday was meant to be the day we left for camping, but with Ethan in hospital and possibly only due home today, camping was cancelled for us. The girls both went to swimming lessons where they both graduated to the next level. As a small prize we went to Time-Zone for some fun on the arcade games. The best news of the day was that Ethan was discharged from the hospital, only to come home and once again complain of a sore stomach. Thankfully though, he’s still at home.

Ah! Saturday, and it was my birthday. I think the kids were more excited than I was. It must be something to do with getting older, but each year seems to just flow into the next. I had a lovely breakfast and then took the kids out for a bike ride, which turned out to be a 4WD bash. That we had a few friends over for a BBQ and a few drinks. I couldn’t have asked for a nicer day.

AJ’s last day of holidays and we had a very early start. Not having gone camping I’d decided to attend a caching event at Oberon. The day was bitterly cold and on 2 occasions we experienced a light shower of snow. The event was a great day, which involved finding brand new caches. In total we found 21 caches for the day, 8 of them were FTF’s. After that we dropped off AJ and then headed for home. Which completed “what a week”.

Tuff Truck 09

Once again we (Ryan, my father and myself) headed off to Tuff Truck. This is the hardest short course off-road 4x4 competition held in Australia. If your truck doesn’t come away from the weekend without some damage or a scratch then you haven’t driven it hard enough.

Milbredale, near Singleton once again hosted this year’s event. 42 of Australia’s best 4WD vehicles were pitted against each other as well being judged on ‘show n shine’ ‘engineering’ and 8 of the hardest individual events I’ve seen. These vehicles include features like; 4 wheel steering, 42” tyres, hydraulic pump-up suspension, plus lots more.

Arriving early on Friday we were surprised at the size of the crowd that had already made this area their home for the next few days. Crowds over the weekend would swell to over 10,000 by the weekends end.


A split field sees half the trucks head off to a mystery night stage on the Friday night while the other half tackle the mud event. This is reversed on the Saturday night, thus giving all competitors a far go at each stage. During the 2 days competition each vehicle must complete 6 gruelling tracks. Many trucks at one point or another had to be recovered from a point where they no longer could drive. Some even had to be returned to the ‘right way up’ before they could be recovered. Parts were breaking a phenomenal rate. CV’s, trailing arms, pinions and body panels were no match for these near impossible tracks.

By the end of the weekend less than half the starters would be remaining, it was simply that demanding on machinery. The eventual winner, with one of his best performances ever, was Pete and Taz in their new 40 series Landcruiser.

I cant wait till year.

Mid North Coast Floods

Catastrophic fires have ravished Victoria, massive floods have inundated far Nth Queensland and now flooding hits the mid north coast. Talk about climate change!

I played a small part in helping those affected by the floods that impacted on the Port Macquarie area last week. We’d had a heads up about severe weather in the area and had already deployed one member to be part of a management team overseeing operations. On Tuesday 17th Feb I got a phone call, “Can I be at Albion Park airport ASAP, you’re off to Port Macquarie”. An hour later I was sitting in the RFS commissioners plane heading north. Di Gordon and myself were being tasked to Wauchope to assist with potential flooding around the town.

Once at Wauchope the full extent of recent rains could be seen. Paddocks were lakes, creeks covered roads, the Hastings River was rising and still the rain fell. With some further intel and reconnaissance a plan was hashed on what could be done to reduce the impact on residents of Wauchope. Regular visits to the river gauge showed how quickly the water was rising. Predicted water levels were of concern, but just when it was thought that evacuations might be necessary upstream river heights began to steady. Some low lying farmers self helped themselves to higher ground, but as the night drew longer it was apparent that expected levels would no longer be reached.

The following morning, the major threat had passed and our work at Wauchope was done. After a visit to see the new Port Macquarie LHQ we headed down to Taree for further tasking.

My next task proved to be very enjoyable. “Dave get yourself on a helicopter and start organising resupplies for the Kempsey area” were the words that rung through my ears. Sure enough, it wasn’t long before I was on an RFS Bell 212 helicopter that had been tasked to the region. 30min later I was in Kempsey stocking up with food supplies for out lying stranded residents. Being airborne quickly made me appreciate the devastation caused by the floods. Everywhere we looked rivers had burst their banks, cattle were huddled together on small islands and roads were cut. We had small ration type bags of food onboard, that we started dropping off at isolated farms. The residents were so grateful to see us and welcomed us wherever we put down. Often I had to stop and pinch myself at how much fun can one have when helping the community. Hours spent flying around in a helicopter, doing what you love and getting to see plenty of unforgettable sights. The floods around Crescent Head were that bad that in some cases we had to winch food bags into the resident as the floods had totally inundated their properties.

Alas all good things must come to an end and we eventually run out of daylight and had to return to Port. The following day, with more of the same planned were about to take to the skies when our plans were cut short by political red tape. A few hours later my helicopter crew had been released and they were heading for home, likewise I was returning to Taree for further tasking. As it turns out this was to be my final field task. After a few hours spent tidying up loose ends at Oxley region, Di and myself were on our way home.

Swiftwater Rescue

The SES is moving into the field of ‘Swiftwater Rescue Awareness’. Yesterday I had the opportunity to be part of a course held at the Penrith Whitewater Stadium. This was my first visit to this Stadium, sure I’d seen it on the T.V as part of the Olympics but my first impression upon seeing it for real was how big the place was. The actual course itself was empty so we got to see how and what makes the rapids etc. Soon enough the 5 huge pumps kicked in and the course came alive. Some 14000 litres/sec of water is pumped around the course.

Our awareness course involved a few hours theory where whitewater terminology, personal survival and rescue techniques were all explained. Soon enough we hit the water. Nerves soon gave way to excitement as practiced a few defensive and offensive swimming techniques. With the basics complete we did a few laps of the course, we simply bobbed up and down in the whitewater like floating buoys.


With little time to rest we undertook further rescue techniques like human triangles for negotiating swollen creeks and rope recoveries, these both proved to be fun and hard work. Our afternoon activities involved more recoveries and dealing with strainers. A strainer is a partially submerged log or shopping trolley that traps victims while allowing water past…. After getting a demonstration on how to negotiate a strainer it was then our then. One of our team members got it all wrong and came nursing a bloody nose. “That’s not how to do it” was his words as he was lead off for some first aid.

Our final activity for the day was to have a bit of fun in the inflatable rafts. Using 2 rafts we had a few laps of the course, each time adding a bit more fun and excitement into the adventure. As always, when more risk is added it ultimately ends in a big crash and on our last lap we had a big crash. All of us were ejected from the raft, once in the calmness of an eddy we regained our composure and seats before finishing the course.

What a great day, I wish all SES courses were like this one.