Despite flooding, including dramatic scenes of trains imitating submarines of the yellow variety; and sticky wet snow bringing down many tree branches to the west, WICEN was not activated.
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.
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 will be supporting NSW Cave Rescue Squad with their exercise at Jenolan on Saturday November 8.
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 include 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 loud music. The BMSC "Rallye des Femme" is being planned for a Saturday in December.
WICEN Victoria is be supporting two events on the Murray River. Yesterday's 50 km canoe race is followed with this morning's 8km "Sweat vs Steam" race against the historic Echuca paddle-steamers. The second is the YMCA Massive Murray Paddle between Yarrawonga and Swan Hill from Monday 24th to Friday 28th November, replacing the Christmas - New Year event. See: http://vic.wicen.org.au for details.
Coming events include:
Sweat versus Steam at Echuca this morning
WICEN ACT's Brookvale Horse Endurance Ride on today
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
Induction Day at Morisset on Sunday 23 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.