The ABC Amateur Race Club Brunette weekend is coming up on us quickly this year and with everyone busy with life and other routine commitments it is time to sort this out and get on with the planning. Brunette Downs is probably the largest public duty that Division participates in and there is a long history of first aid support for this event. I would be guessing that many people reading this will have great memories of Brunette and the events that occur throughout the 4 days.

The duty has always been considered demanding and there is always a lot of planning required to ensure we provide the coverage that is needed. The event is held at a remote race course and rodeo ground located 30 km from the Brunette Downs Station Homestead. Those covering the event have to drive 380 km from Tennant Creek.

This year is particularly special as the event celebrates 100 years, so by my calculation the first was held in 1910. I bet life was a bit different then and can’t imagine St John attending this far back? The 100 year celebrations will see the attendance swell from the normal 700-800 cowboys, station owners, jockies and tourists to what’s estimated to be around 3,000 for this year. Usual events include rodeo, calf scruffing (hmmm), bronco branding, camp draft, gymkhana, ironman & woman and the highlight – the ABC Amateur Race Club meet.

This year we hope to have a much larger volunteer crew including Divisional members from Tennant, Alice and Nhulunbuy. We have also conned a couple of paramedics and 1 x doctor from Tennant Creek Hospital to attend as with the increase in attendance numbers comes a potential increase in patients requiring attention.

We return to living out of tents (back to the good ol’ days) and feeding ourselves this year. Unfortunately we can’t get the bus (superbikes) so will be operating out of the treatment room (below) plus two troopies. We are fortunate that we have one reasonable sized de  mountable treatment room to work out which makes life much easier, keeps the dust out and increases the level of comfort we can provide for our patients.

The duty is always demanding and always fun. The weekend is always remembered for the bitterly cold winds, dust, dirt and sleepless nights. It is also remembered for the hospitality of the station people, the great atmosphere and rewarding feeling of being able to provide much needed care over the four to five days.

St John has previously provided a first aid post through a variety of means over the time the organisation has covered the duty. This has included a caravan that was converted to a Public Duty first aid post, a pop up camper purchased as a first aid post and, in recent years the Alice Spring St John Bus, which has been rushed to Tennant Creek as soon as the annual Finke River Race finished. Those covering the event have slept under the stars, in tents or in the make do First Aid Rooms. Often members have been seen huddling around a fire to keep warm between patients.

We are still looking for additional volunteers to help out and make the weekend a success (and fun) so if anyone is available please let This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it know on 0419 621 752.

The duty starts on Thursday 17th June leaving Tennant Creek on the Wednesday 16th and finishes Sunday 20th June leaving Brunette Downs on the Monday.

If interested please RSVP by 25th May 2010.

 

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2007 Tennant Creek Coverage
First Aid Coverage at events