The May 2012 edition of Behind The Log, Bush Search and Rescue's regular newsletter, is now published and can be downloaded from [here] (pdf).  Articles include:

• Call-outs and alerts in the last six months
• BSAR Training Weekend, November 2011
• Steep Snow and Ice Training, 22 and 28-29 July
• BSAR Annual Report to Bushwalking Victoria
• Tomahawk Gap Cold Case Search, October 2011
• Welcome to New Individual BSAR Members

The Donna Buang search of 1953 was one of the pivotal searches in the history of Bush Search and Rescue Victoria. Bill Bewsher performed the role of Field Organiser at a time when the Victoria Police did not yet have a search and rescue squad.  BSAR personnel conducted the structured searching and recovered the two missing people, stretchering them both to the road. (Source The Scroggin Eaters).

One of the survivors, Jennifer Laycock, lost her legs to frostbite and the media labelled her the "Snow Girl" as they followed her recovery.

Sunday 15 April 2012  The search for the 30 year old missing hiker in the Mt Donna Buang - Badger Creek area has concluded successfully with the man being found at about 10.30 this morning. He was found on a track by a Police vehicle that was taking two Bush Search and Rescue search groups to the start points of their allocated search areas. The person is in good health.  17 Bush Search and Rescue members attended the search.

Neville Byrne is a rural Police Liaison Officer with Bush Search and Rescue who who lives in Tawonga, at the base of Mt Bogong.  Neville has been active with Bush Search and Rescue for 40 years as a searcher and Field Organiser.

Seventy participants took part in BSAR’s annual training weekend held on 19-20 November 2011 in the Wombat Forest.  It was our largest training event in a long time.  Thirteen BWV Clubs were represented, plus a number of BWV individual members.  It was especially pleasing to welcome 25 new and prospective members on their first BSAR training event.

Getting started

Monday 5 Dec 2011, 20:30.  The search call-out at 10:15 for Bush Seach and Rescue is now CANCELLED. 

The Pioneers of Bushwalking exhibition was officially launched on Monday, 24 October 2011 by Tim Holding MP, Shadow Treasurer during this year’s History Week celebrations. The exhibition is a collection of stunning images and artefacts that explore the fascinating history of the Melbourne Walking Club and some of the remarkable achievements of its members.

Past Bush Search and Rescue member Stuart Brookes features in one of the photographs.

The exhibition runs until Friday, 9 December 2011. Entry is free.

• Where: Royal Historical Society of Victoria, 239 A’Beckett Street, Melbourne 3000
• When: 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday
• More details: [link]

A SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger is specifically designed for remote area communcations and works in conjunction with a satellite communication system, for which an annual subscription (currently US$110 pa) is required.

SPOTS have the following functions:

• SOS: For a life threatening or other critical emergency. Notifies emergency services of your GPS location and that you need assistance. It is equivalent to activating a Personal Locator Beacon (when there is a threat of grave or imminent danger).
• Help: For a non-life threatening emergency, this function is used to notify your personal contacts that you need assistance using a preset message.
• Check-in/OK: Let your friends and family know via email or SMS that all is OK with a pre-programmed message along with your GPS location. Messages are sent via email or SMS to up to 10 pre-determined contacts and your waypoint is stored in your SPOT account for later reference. 
• Custom Message: Allows you to let your friends and family now receive a custom message along with your GPS location with a push of a button. 
• Track Progress: Sends and saves your location and allow contacts to track your progress in near real time using Google Maps.  This feature requires an additional subscription fee to the annual subscription.