Acland miners take hat-trick at mine comp
NEW Acland Mine has won three major awards at the Southern Region Mines Rescue Challenge after a day of fierce competition.
Seven teams were put through a number of scenarios simulating real-life incidents including road crashes, fires, vertical rescues, search and rescues and multi-casualty traumas to reflect the real possibilities of what could have on mine sites.
Teams from regional mines including Meandu Mine at Tarong, Commodore Mine at Millmerran, New Acland and Cameby Downs were among those putting their skills to the test.
But it was the New Acland Mine team which won the best overall team.
Malcom Jannusch also won best medic while Dallas Hinrichsen took out the best team captain prize.
New Acland Mine mining operations manager Dave O’Dwyer said while the bragging rights that came with the trophy spurred teams along, the serious side of the district competition flowed back into the community.
“A lot of the guys on (new Acland’s) rescue team and other mines are active in their local communities through rural fire services or as auxiliaries,” he said.
“Those skills transfer seamlessly.”
The New Acland team will go on to compete at the Northern Region Mines Rescue challenge next month.
The best performing members from that competition will then form a combined Australian team to compete at the Australiasian Road Crash Rescue Challenge next year.