Bush Search and Rescue Victoria has reached a milestone 75 years of contribution to the Victorian community.

Way back in 1949, when several recreational bushwalkers boated in to Wilson’s Promontory to join a search for a missing solo bushwalker, the emergency services scene looked very different.

In those days, if someone was in the bush and overdue, the local police officer would summon whatever resources they could from the local community and do whatever seemed sensible. The group now called Bush Search and Rescue was formed to provide expertise for these incidents.

Bush Search and Rescue Victoria remains a dedicated volunteer search and rescue service, but operates in a much more sophisticated emergency services landscape. Victoria Police now has its own specialist Search and Rescue Squad, to whom BSAR reports.

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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.

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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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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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.

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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.

See Calendar for dates of upcoming training.

Continue reading “Training”