WICEN NSW, as a support squad of the NSW Volunteer Rescue Association, has been active assisting in a number of multi-agency activities during the current bush-fire emergency.

With the current reduction in fire activity, and the restoration of communications around Bega, all WICEN activities have been suspended. Well done to all involved.

WICEN was featured on the BBC World Service programme "Digital Planet" during the week, as part of the story, "Tech tracking Australian fires". It is available here. Included is an interview with Compton VK2HRX.

A training day is planned for Sunday, February 2nd here at ARNSW in Dural. Members are also encouraged to take advantage of the free courses offered by the Office of Emergency Management, at: https://www.emtraining.nsw.gov.au/

WICEN groups across Australia will be supporting Dementia Australia Memory Walk and Jog events. These short Sunday morning events run for several months from February, with NSW's first event at Penrith on April 5th.

WICEN will also be present at the Wyong Field Day on Sunday, February 23rd.

For Facebook users, there is an official WICEN NSW page; and an informal national WICEN group. Both include photos from the various activations.

WICEN ACT is part of the Canberra Region Amateur Radio Club, and supports events in the "Capital Country" region, and on the South Coast. The BMSC "NatCap" Rally is March 21st and 22nd. For more info visit: http://www.crarc.ampr.org

WICEN Victoria will support a fun run between Dromana and Rosebud on January 26th. The Pajero Challenge is February 7th to 9th at Walhalla in northern Gippsland. This is outside the fire-impacted East Gippsland, as is Turra Bulga, where March 21st's Duncan's Run 100 is planned. February 14th to 16th is the Oscar's 100 "Hut to Hut". Memory Walk and Jog events include Mildura on March 1st; and Ballarat at Wendouree on March 15th (support TBC). The weekly net is on each Tuesday at 8:30 pm, on 3.6 MHz. WICEN Victoria's website is: http://vic.wicen.org.au

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