Unit History - Year 2000 until Today

We purchased several new patient protection devices to improve our RAR safety and two new chainsaws to replace some older ones. Our ageing rescue trailer is also being replaced with a new custom built single axle rescue support trailer that will be finished by the middle of July 2000.

In late May 2000 the Unit was asked to be part of a TAC add filmed on the same road that State Coroner was shot. The add required a crew to re-create a rescue scene by taking the side out of a vehicle and then pretend to put back equipment. This was a great activity as the TAC adds are one of the biggest reasons for reduced road trauma in Victoria.

Bluey Day 2000 has recruited eight members from our Unit all working towards the $8000 goal. On the 5th August, Bluey Day, eight members shaved their heads in Greensborough Plaza celebrated raising over $10,000 in funds for the Royal Children's Hosipital. We are very proud of this achievement. Glenn O'Donnell and Michelle Olinder are State committee members and have big plans for next year. Several newspapers articles have also helped raise awareness of the program.

The last quarter of the year 2000 was very busy with an increase in MVA and storm damage calls. Several severe storms swept through Melbourne and kept us busy. Our Unit was asked to send crews down to Hastings and Frankston on several occasions to assist with massive damage due to severe storms. Our Unit also sent crews along to several land searches with Glenn O'Donnell as our 4x4 operator.

Our new Rescue Support Trailer was built and put into service late in 2000 and used on several of these storm damage tasks out of area. This vehicle was designed and equipped by Colin and Justin over many weekends. Special thanks must go to Colin for his extra time and effort managing this project. The new trailer will enable our crews to work better and have the best equipment on hand for the job.

Moving into the year 2001 we find many of our members reaching their 10 and 15 year service medals. You can see the service awards on the membership page. At the State Controllers Conference three members were presented with their 15 year National Service medals - John Best, Ivan Powell, Alan Lincoln and Margaret Shepherd. Congratulations to these three members for serving the community for so long.

On the 28th April the Wilderness Navigation Challenge 2001 was held. Our Unit sent a team of three - Justin, Leanne and Matt. The team did very well placing 20th out of 96 teams. The competition was tough and the terrain varied from steep hills and gullys to rolling hills covered in very thick bush that took ages to walk through.

Early in 2001 we were lucky to have ten new recruits start with us. These guys and girls have been training hard for many months and will soon be full members with the Unit and placed on teams. We have all been very impressed by their enthusiasm and willingness to learn. Dean and Matt have been coordinating their training and from all accounts training is moving along well.

- need text for new rescue 1 design from Rambler

- need text talking about national medals awards

- need text about Justin and vertical rescue work etc.

- need text about recruiting during 2002-2004

- need text about equipment received or major donations

- need text about operations during 2002-2004, significant events

- need text about training achievements

In early 2004 we budgeted for new training audio visual equipment and purchased a TV, laptop, DVD, data projector and VHS player. This equipment significantly increased our ability to present training material and reduce the need to "borrow" equipment from our workplaces. Money received from donations was used to fund this equipment.

Dom, Andrew and Jessica competed in the October 2004 Bush Navigation Day hosted by the Nunawading Unit. The event was held at Mt. Disapointment and involved map reading and navigation skills combined with 15 min general rescue activities at each checkpoint. Justin and Glenn also assisted the Nunawading crew during the weekend.

In late October and early November 2004 our Unit experienced a huge demand on our resources with many wild storms and heavy flooding impacting on the Nillumbik community. The Diamond Creek and Yarra River were experiencing significant rainfall resulting in serious flash flooding. This flooding damaged several bridges. Many houses were also affected by storm and water damage.