After a very busy weekend involving both SAREX and the Hawkesbury, commencing at first light on Monday, WICEN has been providing specialist communications support for the search for a missing person in extremely rugged terrain in the Kanangra Boyd National park area, south of Jenolan, and 50 km by road from Oberon. While two operators were sufficient early in the week, this has been expanded to four per day, as both the base and relay points are being staffed. Ten members have been involved so far, with most camping on-site. WICEN has been supporting VRA squads, being the Bushwalkers Wilderness Rescue Service and NSW Cave Rescue; plus National Parks and a Police dog unit, using VHF, UHF and HF bands. The State Emergency Service, Rural Fire Service, and NSW Ambulance units from Sydney, Blue Mountains and the Central Tablelands have also been operational. Some teams have been inserted and extracted by National Parks helicopter or Lifesaver 1. WICEN also established Amateur band VHF and UHF links to Sydney for logistics.

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 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. November sees the NSW Carriage Driving Championships at Witwood near Braidwood, NSW today; and Call of the Beast, which involves running, mud, obstacles and loud music next Saturday. The BMSC "Rallye des Femme" is being planned for a Saturday in December.

WICEN Victoria will be supporting the YMCA Massive Murray Paddle between Yarrawonga and Swan Hill from Monday 24th to Friday 28th November, replacing the post Christmas event. See: http://www.vic.wicen.org.au for details.

Coming events include:

Kanangra Tops search support is continuing
WICEN ACT's Carriage Driving Championships on today
"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.