Members of the Rotary Club of Eaglehawk gathered at the Oscar 1 Rescue team’s Station for an informative visit.  Our members (18) along with the team members (12), enthusiastically joined for a BBQ tea with additional salads and other dishes supplied by some of our members, which were very much appreciated.

Following tea, Oscar 1’s Captain Karl Shay and Ex Captain Daniel McMahon arranged a very informative presentation that explained the structure of the team and what they do.  A number of years ago when the team was formed, Victoria Police were divided into districts and the area around central Victoria was name Oscar District, thus the name Oscar 1 was adopted for the Team.  Interestingly they are the only team in Australia that are all Volunteers, (they are a CFA Brigade, that don’t have a “Fire Appliance”) and have two vehicles to carry all the Specialist Rescue equipment that they use.  It is also interesting to note that the members have expertise in many fields which are well outside of normal firefighting but do relate to rescue in various fields including Mine rescue with a number of the members being employed by mining companies.

Oscar 1 have been involved in several incidents involving miners over a number of years, along with a number of animal recoveries from mines in and around Central Victoria.

 

The equipment they have are highly specialised for the roles they undertake including Long duration Breathing Apparatus, Vertical and High Angle Rope rescue, vehicle rescue, grain entrapment, Confined Space rescue, together with a high level of medical expertise.

 

The team have been involved in Rescue competitions around Victoria for a number of years, competing against Industry Rescue teams from all over Australia, and the records show that they are a formidable team, having finished in the top four at most competitions and have on several occasions been the leader in many sections and in fact won the overall event on a few times.  Considering the competition a credit to the team. 

Following the presentation, Rotarians were then shown what is an impressive list of equipment carried on the vehicles with explanations of their use.

Overall the night was enlightening for our members as to what expertise is available just around the corner from the “Mechanic’s” and what “our Oscar 1 Rescue team” are capable of and the work they have undertaken by a comparatively small team of highly efficient members, that are operating under what could be considered less than supportive higher level of management throughout the emergency services in Victoria.

 

Special thanks to the Oscar 1 Rescue team for allowing us to visit them in their home and their insight into the work they undertake.

 

      

 

 

 

National Youth Science Forum (NYSF)

On Tuesday an information session was held at the Discovery Centre for 16 students who have been accepted into NYSF and their parents.  Four past students from BSSC spoke to the group about their experience with NYSF in January.  Lynne and Stewart Annan presented information about the Rotary funding that will be available.  We divided into 4 groups to enable the students and parents to discuss the program in more detail.  There was a great atmosphere of enthusiasm and appreciation for the role of our Bendigo Combined Rotary group to assist the students to achieve their goals.

 

Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA)

The RYLA committee have an application from an Eaglehawk man who is keen to attend. We will arrange an interview soon.

 

Bella, Amy, Darcy and Heidi with Stewart Annan from RC of Bendigo Sandhurst in the background

 

 

We are on the road again, the bookshop will be popping up at the Woodvale Market !

Come along, buy some books and save us having to take them back to the shop!

 

The Combined Rotary Clubs of the former Goldfields Clusters have for many years enjoyed an annual dinner to celebrate, promote and raise awareness of Rotary's Foundation.  Our club's meeting scheduled for Wednesday 29th October is rescheduled to Tuesday 28th October - making is simple for all members to participate in the dinner.  There has been an invitation extended to all 14 clubs in our Rotary Community Group so it will also be an opportunity to share ideas with our clubs and may even be the start of a great interclub collaboration!

 

These dinners are always the best opportunity we get to learn of the latest news on the Foundation front - and will include up to date data on the End Polio Now efforts as well as the many other areas covered by the Foundation.

 

 

  

 

District Governor Peter shared information on the District Conference/Impact Summit with plans well underway for this event being held in Horsham over the weekend of the 27th - 29th March 2026. 

 

Planning on attending?  Then it is strongly recommended that you organise your accommodation as soon as possible.  

 

Peter also advised that registrations for attending the event will shortly be available and to keep an eye on communications from District for more information.