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Vale Stuart Brookes OAM

Stuart Brookes OAM passed away peacefully on Friday 19 November, aged 99.

Stuart was a stalwart member of BSAR from its inception in 1949. He participated in search and rescue for 40 years, including many of the major searches through the 1950s to 1970s. He was a Field Organiser for many years and later a Police Liaison Officer.

He is perhaps best-known for his sketch maps of the Victorian alps, published under the name of Bush Maps Victoria, and originally created when government maps were either non-existent or very inaccurate.

Stuart was a foundation member of the Victorian Mountain Tramping Club (VMTC) and became its first life member 10 years later.

For his contribution to bushwalking through map-making, safety in the bush and search and rescue Stuart was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 1988.

Bush Search and Rescue offers its sincere condolences to Stuart’s family and friends.

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Alpine National Park will be closed from 11.59pm Wednesday 5 August, 2020

Parks Victoria has advised the Alpine National Park will be closed from 11.59pm Wednesday 5 August, 2020 as part of the Stage 3 COVID-19 restrictions.

The closure covers the entirety of the park, including Mount Bogong and the Bogong High Plains in our local area. Entry to the Alpine National Park is not permitted until further advised.

Parks Victoria will place signage and barriers at trails heads and entry points into the park advising of the closure.

Maintenance of essential infrastructure will still be permitted under the closure provided work crews entering the park comply with COVID-19 physical distancing and hygiene restrictions.

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2019 Victorian Backcountry Festival at Mount Hotham

2019 Backcountry Ski festival

BSAR provided three skill shares at the Backcountry Festival at Mount Hotham on September 7 and 8 2019.

The festival is a grassroots, volunteer run event which aims to provide a safe place for new skiers and riders to explore beyond the ski runs while also providing a gathering for the backcountry tribe.

The program had 28 sessions on offer covering everything from cross country and tele skiing, split boarding, alpine touring, to avalanche safety, snow shoeing and fat tyre bikes.

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