SAREX is a search exercise involving the search for VH-MDX, the Cessna 210M "Turbo Centurion" which went missing in Barrington Tops, north of Port Stephens on Sunday, 9 August 1981. It will run from Friday 24th of October for set-up, to Sunday the 26th. This involves the Bushwalkers Wilderness Rescue Squad and NSW Police Rescue, among others.
Pierce Healy VK2APQ (SK) wrote the original activation up in this column in the October 1981 issue of Electronics Australia. WICEN was tasked to provide a 7 MHz link between the search site and the Department of Transport's Search Co-ordinating Centre in Mascot. Eight operators worked at VK2WIH and six at VK2WIY is Sydney.
The Northern Rivers region is conducting a training event today.
The final WICEN supported Alzheimer's Australia Memory Walk and Jog was held this morning, starting at North Wollongong, and heading south along the coast. It has raised over $40.000 for Dementia support services.
WICEN is seeking operators for the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic on Saturday 25th October and Sunday 26th. As WICEN will be staffing several new checkpoints the number of operators required has increased, along with the clash with SAREX, means that if you have been considering taking part, this is the year to do so. New participants will be placed with an experienced member. Those with a Maritime radio certificate would also be most welcome. This event raises significant funding to the Arrow Bone Marrow Transplant Foundation.
WICEN has a twitter account: @wicennsw
Facebook users will find the official WICEN New South Wales page, an informal national WICEN group, and a few interstate groups.
WICEN ACT is part of the Canberra Region Amateur Radio Club, and supports events in the ACT and surrounding areas. The club's website at http://www.crarc.ampr.org includes details of both WICEN and general events. October events are the Brindabella Motor Sport Club's Tumut Rally; the Brookvale Horse Enduro, named for a property on the north-western border; and Fitz's Challenge, an endurance bicycle ride in the western area of the ACT. November sees the NSW Carriage Driving Championships at Witwood in Braidwood, NSW; and Call of the Beast, which involves running, mud, obstacles and music. The BMSC "Rallye des Femme" is being planned for a Saturday in December.
WICEN Victoria will be supporting two events on the Murray River. The first is a 50km paddle from Barmah, finishing in Echuca on Saturday 18 October, with an 8km "Sweat vs Steam" race against the historic Echuca paddle-steamers on Sunday 19th. The second is the YMCA Massive Murray Paddle between Yarrawonga and Swan Hill from Monday 24th to Friday 28th November. See: http://www.vic.wicen.org.au for details.
In preparing for possible activations over the summer period, ensure that your bottled water is in date, as bacteria can grow in it.
Coming events include:
Illawarra Memory Walk this morning
Northern Rivers Training session today
WICEN ACT's BMSC Tumut Rally Saturday 18th October
WICEN Victoria's Mini Marathon at Moama - Echuca on Saturday 18th October
WICEN ACT's Brookvale Horse Endurance Ride on Sunday 19 October
Sweat versus Steam at Echuca on Sunday 19 October
Fitz's Challenge Bike Ride in the ACT on Sunday 26th October
Hawkesbury Canoe Classic is on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th October
SAREX on Saturday Friday 24th to Sunday 26th October
WICEN ACT's Carriage Driving Championships on Sunday 2nd November
"Call of the Beast" in the south of the ACT on Saturday 8th of November
Caves Rescue Operational Exercise Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th of November
YMCA Massive Murray Paddle from Monday 24th to Friday 28th November
Submitted by Julian Sortland VK2YJS on behalf of the WICEN State Management Committee.