Members from Alice Springs Cadet Division and a support crew of friends of members combined with Paramedic Andrew Naden to provide the First Aid/Ambulance coverage at the main first aid/evacuation post at Apatula Community for this years’ Finke Desert Race. The Cadet contingent provided their own Finke Uniform to not only look like a team, but to promote the role that Cadets and Volleys play at major events within Central Australia.

The Finke contingent comprised of: Paramedic - Andrew Naden – Site OIC, T.O. Ian McKIE – Volley/First Aid Coordinator, D.O. Barbara McKIE, D.O. Rebecca Jones, Cdt Ldr Jake Pietsch, Acting Cdt Ldr Melissa Golding, Cdt Sgts Caitlin Iggleden & Michelle Ellis, Cdt Cpl Cassie Iggleden & from the Adult Division – Kate Anning. Our valuable support crew comprised of Jakes mum, Steph’ and her brother Eric, Melissa’s friend *and former TCK Cadet+ Caitlin and Nades’ better half - Rose.

Our camp site early Monday morning amidst the camp fire smoke, dust and the roar of early morning engine tune ups on bikes and buggies.

This year we were lucky in that the wind and the frost stayed away which otherwise made for fairly comfortable conditions.

Injuries ranged from blisters, fractured collar bones, sprains & strains, lacerations, abrasions, dehydration, hypoglycaemia, fractured fingers, dust in the eyes through to sheer exhaustion.

We had three doctors from Alice Springs Hospital support our crew, and special mention goes to them not only for the work they did on scene, but for there fantastic support and encouragement of the cadets. All three doctors [Anna, Dan & Anthony] went to great lengths to include the cadets in all the consultations/treatments that they handled on scene, even allowing the cadets to be involved in the follow-up treatment at Apatula Clinic.

Figures aren’t official, but we estimate that over the course of the three days on scene, we probably handled in the order of 150 casualties [including re-dressing of wounds etc].

Well done to Barbara and the camp support staff *Steph’, Eric & Caitlin+ for keeping us all fed and watered over the weekend. The pavlova went down well on Sunday night [right Craig & Mick!] and there was a seemingly endless supply of cakes and other goodies as well. Thanks to the great support of a couple of Mums [Lou Iggleden & Lindy Griffith] who did some baking for us before we left Alice Springs.

Thanks to all involved for making my last major event with Ops’ Branch such a memorable one. Goodbye and good luck.

Article by Ian McKie
Regional Training Officer Cadets [Southern].