People – Page 2 – Bush Search and Rescue Victoria

BSAR Field Organiser Peter Briggs on a different type of search – for submarine AE2

BSAR Field Organiser and Retired Rear Admiral Peter Briggs lead a team of Australians on a different type of search – a mission to preserve the WW1 submarine AE2 as part of the Silent Anzac Project.

Peter previously led a dive survey in October 2007 that found the 99-year-old submarine to be in “remarkably good shape”.

HMAS AE2 in Sydney, circa 1914. Source: Australian War Memorial

The well-preserved submarine was sunk by Ottoman gunfire off the Turkish coast in 1915. HMAS AE2 was an E-class submarine of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and was the first Allied submarine to penetrate the Dardanelles strait in a bid to secure the Gallipoli Peninsula.

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BSAR members success in the 2014 Australasian Police and Emergency Services Games

Three BSAR members particpated in the Australasian Police and Emergency Services Games held in Melbourne over 19-24 April 2014.

John McGauran competed in the stair climb and wond a gold medal in the 60-64 age group class. John’s time would have won the bronze medal in the in the 40-44 age group. Congratulations John!

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David Reid awarded OAM for services to bushwalking

David Reid, Past President and Board Member of Bushwalking Victoria, was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the 2014 Australia Day honours for services to bushwalking.

This award is recognition of many years of dedicated advocacy and service on behalf of all bushwalkers.

David was also President of Bushwalking Australia from 2010 to 2012 and supported the formation of the organisation in 2006. David was a strong supporter of Bush Search and Rescue Victoria.

Vale Snow Girl

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.

John Retchford

John Retchford joined Bush Search and Rescue Victoria and attended his first search in 1961. During the subsequent forty-five years he made substantial and significant contributions in many aspects of Bush Search and Rescue’s field and administrative operations.

John attended many searches and became a Group Leader.

John was a Field Organiser for twenty-eight years from March 1973 until March 2001, during which time he lead Bush Search and Rescue members on 17 searches.

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Stuart Brookes OAM

Stuart Brookes is a keen bushwalker who has contributed much to recreational bushwalking, including long service with Bush Search and Rescue, in Victoria.

Stuart has produced maps of Victoria’s Alpine Area and other popular bushwalking destinations from the late 1940s to the current day. These maps are regularly updated and provide reliable and detailed information tailored to the needs of bushwalkers.

Stuart was director of Initial Training with the Bushwalking and Mountaincraft Leadership course from 1973 – 77 and chairman of the Bushwalking and Mountaincraft Training Advisory Board 1982 – 85.

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