The Squad is pleased to welcome two new members:

• Deborah Johnston
• David Taberner

No doubt they will be excellent additions to the Squad.

The Squad was please to be able to assist the NSW Police Rescue Squad and SES volunteers in the recent search for a missing boy in Sydney's north west. Unfortunately, the outcome of this search was not positive.

9am to 5pm, Saturday 17 April, Horton-in-Ribblesdale Village Hall, North Yorkshire, UK. Admission discount for BCRA members.

Latest info from http://bcra.org.yuk/forum

As usual, this one-day symposium - organised by BCRA's special interest groups CREG and CSG - coincides with the Cave Surveying Group's spring field meeting, which will take place on the Sunday. If you need overnight accommodation, CSG has reserved some beds at the YSS at Helwith Bridge. Please contact Allan Richardson to enquire about this, (a.ri...@bcra.org.uk) and note that places are limited.

Pending minor changes the Squad's training calendar has just been published. Its in PDF format so far but I'll endeavour to get it into a more friendly web-calendar or iCalendar format suitable for electronic diaries.

BWRS are running a remote areas first aid course on 13/14 and 27/28 February 2010. For more information please see the attached PDF and contact Dave Sheppard at shep...@bigpond.com directly. Could all CRS members also please contact the Training Officer as well to register interest.

The NSW Cave Rescue Squad was pleased to be able to assist the Police, Ambulance and other VRA units, namely the Bushwalkers Wilderness Rescue Squad, in the recent Blue Mountains Canyon Search and Rescue operation.

The new Marine Rescue NSW volunteer organisation which was formed from a merger of existing VRA marine, Australian Volunteer Coast Guard and Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol units is moving ahead. See the attached media release.

Garry Raymond distributed the following message to all VRA squads:

Greetings VRA,
Thanks for all of your efforts and dedication over the past year. We have had some very challenging rescue operations and organisational changes however, you have all met those challenges with professionalism as usual.

Have a great Christmas and New Year from Michelle and I remembering, “Jesus is the Reason for the Season”.

Yours in Rescue,
Gary
Gary Raymond APM, OAM
State President & Senior Chaplain
New South Wales Volunteer Rescue Association Inc.
Phone: 0488-773-743
Website: www.rescue.org.au

Its a bit of late notice but I'm still catching up with my email. The next New Zealand Deep Cave Rescue Exercise will be held over 26-28th February 2010 - see the attached information document.

However, if you are an Australian caver please contact Mr Joe Sydney at jsyd...@choice.com.au as a courtesy because in his role as UIS Cave Rescue Co-ordinator for South Pacific region will be managing and would like to be aware of participants from this part of the world. If you are a member of the Squad please contact the Captain or one of the Vice Captains.

The VRA in conjunction with the NRMA has produced a radio campaign on road safety that will be aired state wide over Christmas/New Year holiday period. A copy has been attached if you wish to listen to the add.