medic) and Hayden ‘Tank’ Coggan (allrounder/support) competed at the Victorian Mine Rescue competition in Bendigo August 23-25. ▪ Photo contributed
The Peak Mines rescue team recently took part the 2024 Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) Victorian Mine Rescue competition in Bendigo, Victoria.
From August 23-25 eight mine emergency response teams from Victorian, NSW and Tasmanian mines took part in the annual safety training exercise which involved simulated rescue scenarios.
Peak Mines Rescue Coordinator/Senior Emergency Services Officer Mark Aumua, has previously participated in three rescue competitions, and acted as manager/reserve to Peak’s 2024 team.
“It was the team’s first time in this competition,” Mark said.
“They did themselves proud representing themselves, Cobar and Aurelia Metals and just missed out on the Agnico Eagle Fosterville Gold Mine Team spirit award.”
The award acknowledges the team who best displays great qualities of enthusiasm, positivity, teamwork and commitment.
At the presentations, Simon Delander, head adjudicator and ex Cobar resident/WHS Manager at Peak Gold Mines, acknowledged the Cobar team’s efforts.
Headed up by Scott Mackenzie (captain) and Brett Ryan (vice captain), they were joined by Kayla Hasson (as 1st medic), Sara Waak (2nd medic), Rachel Nuttall (gas operator/support) and Hayden ‘Tank’ Coggan (allrounder/ support).
“There were seven events in this competition ranging from a Ropes Rescue scenario to Firefighting Underground and Road Crash Rescue,” Mark explained.
“The scenarios were very realistic including an upturned vehicle containing casualties that collided with a long-haul truck.”
The Peak Mines Rescue will be able to use the new skills and experience they gained at the competition and put them into use, if necessary, on the mine-site and in the community.
The team caught up with some other ex-Cobar residents who were attending the competition including Tony Walkinshaw as the Team Manager/Reserve for Evolution Lake Cowal Mine Rescue team and Dean McHardie, from Fire Safety Australia (FSA), who acted as an adjudicator for the Underground Search and Rescue events.
The Cornwall coal mine from Tasmania was the best overall performing team at the event
