Submitted by VK2YJS on

WICEN is involved in the planning of a major multi-agency NSW emergency services Search And Rescue EXercise, or SAREX, scheduled for later this year in southern NSW. Members will be notified of our participation requirements in the coming months. This is distinct from the SAREX built around the search for VH-MDX, expected to be on the 17 and 18th of October.

WICEN has a twitter account: @wicennsw [read NSW as initials]
It is also visible at: twitter.com/wicennsw

Facebook users will find the official WICEN New South Wales page, and an informal national WICEN group.

WICEN ACT is part of the Canberra Region Amateur Radio Club, and supports events in the ACT and the surrounding "Capital Country". The club's website at http://www.crarc.ampr.org includes details of both WICEN and general events.

The Brindabella Motor Sport Club's BSMC Rallye des Femme, an event for female competitors, will be held on Saturday 21st March. The Canberra Two Day Walk, part of the Canberra Walking Festival, is on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th of March.

Sunraysia 600 Off-road event is the first round of the Australian and Victorian Off Road Championships. WICEN Victoria is looking for operators for Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th of April, which is the weekend after Easter. The location is Keera Station, 10 kilometres on the Mildura side of Lake Culluleraine, with camping at the Start/Finish point or another checkpoint. Operators will use 2 metre voice and 70cm for the TRAK packet system. For more details contact Peter Norris, VK3JUG via email: Peter.Norris@police.vic.gov.au

Fair Trading NSW have banned the sale of single burner gas stoves which use enclosed disposable butane canisters. This is due to many failing to cut-off when the canister area is overheated, possibly due to using a large overhanging pan or plate, causing the canister to fail, and the contents ignite in a scene reminiscent of Mythbusters.

Coming events include:

BSMC Rallye des Femme on Saturday 21st March
Canberra Two Day Walk on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th of March.
Sunraysia 600 on the 11th and 12th of April

Submitted by Julian Sortland VK2YJS on behalf of the WICEN State Management Committee.