Bush Search and Rescue Victoria

To report a lost person – call 000 and ask for Police.

BSAR acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, waters and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples today.

Latest News

19 April 2025 – Search for missing boy in Olinda

BSAR members attended the search for a young boy who had wandered away from a playground in Olinda on Friday afternoon. Early Saturday morning, as searchers were about to start searching, the boy was found. A local teenager out on his regular bike ride came across the missing boy, contacted emergency services and stayed with him until help arrived.

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ABOUT BSAR

Bush Search and Rescue Victoria is a dedicated volunteer search and rescue service. We assist the Victoria Police Search and Rescue Squad with search and rescue for persons lost or distressed in bush and alpine areas in our state.

Our searchers include experienced bushwalkers, backcountry and cross-country skiers and mountaineers who have had specialist search and rescue training . We are capable of operating independently in the field for several days.

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Joining

Bush Search and Rescue Victoria is open to members of Bushwalking Victoria clubs and Bushwalking Victoria Individual Members who meet the experience and age entry requirements listed below. The entry requirements basically ensure that members are competent and experienced bushwalkers, ready to receive specific training in search and rescue techniques.

Training

Bush Search and Rescue holds regular training events. The usual formats are:

General search and rescue training – held each year over a weekend. The format rotates following a three year cycle: bush, snow, bush incorporating a rogaine. This is open to all members and prospective members.

Alpine search and rescue training – held each year, for members with alpine skills and experience. This specialist training is not required for all BSAR members.

2017 Bogong search - climbing Eskdale Spur

See Calendar for dates of upcoming training.

Searches

BSAR was involved in the searches and rescues listed below as part of the emergency service response under Police direction.

BSAR acknowledges and thanks all the volunteer and professional services with whom our members work closely, including the Police Search and Rescue Squad, Police Transport Branch, Police Field Catering, local Police, other specialist Police units, SES, CFA, Parks Victoria, DEECA, Ski Patrol and local communities.

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