WICEN News

Here  is  a  brief report on the Co-ordinators Conference held at
the Charles  Sturt  University,  Bathurst,  on  October  29-30th.
Nineteen  members  attended  the  conference, coming from Central
Coast, Hunter, Central West, Sydney South, Sydney North, and Blue
Mountains.   An  Extraordinary  General Meeting, as notified, was
convened in order to receive and consider  the  Financial  State-
ment,  which  was  duly  accepted.   Ray Gill VK2BRF, a prominent
WICEN member, was commended for his election to President of  the
VRA  at their recent Annual Conference.  Uniforms were discussed,
as were the green overalls, and their instant recognition by  the
various authorities were noted, as was the possible confusion be-
tween green overalls and green flags by train drivers.  A  train-
ing grant from the NSW Government received attention, and various
proposals to use this money were considered.   WICEN's  responsi-
bilities  under  the Charities Act and others were discussed, and
all Regions are cautioned to "be careful out there" -- the  vari-
ous  laws  are  a veritable minefield!  There was to be a talk on
the GRN Government Radio Network, but unfortunately the represen-
tative  could  not  attend,  so one of the GRN users spoke in his
place, in particular on the limitations  of  the  network;  WICEN
personnel need not worry that they may be superseded by GRN.  The
Central Coast bushfires in January were discussed, with many "be-
hind  the scenes" observations, and David Thorncraft VK2UDT is to
be commended for his efforts.  This was followed by a talk on the
relationship  between  the WICEN Management Committee and the Re-
gions, and the duties of the various positions.  WICEN's role  in
the  State Disaster Plan -- DISPLAN -- was discussed, and the im-
portance of contacting your District or Local  Emergency  Manage-
ment  Officer  and getting on to the Communications Sub-Committee
was noted.  A General Forum was held after dinner  at  the  local
Chinese restaurant, with many views put back and forth.  The next
day, Ray Gill spoke on the role played by  the  VRA,  WICEN,  and
CREST,  and  their  relationship to each other; it was emphasised
that WICEN and CREST should work closer together within the  VRA.
This  was  followed  by a dissertation by Barry VK2AAB on WICEN's
own DISPLAN, with emphasis on preparedness, response,  logistics,
and co-operation with other services.  Reports were then received
from various Regions, followed by general discussion, and a high-
ly-successful  conference  was closed.  Thanks go to Peter VK2AGB
for supplying the material from which this report was summarised.

Events  this  month include the Hunter WICEN meeting tomorrow and
the closing date for the Newsletter on 30th November.

For next month, WICEN has been requested to assist with  the  NSW
Water  Ski  Association "Lion Island Classic", on Sunday 11th De-
cember 1994.  Along with the usual 2m requirements (which regret-
fully  were  not  mentioned previously), long distance communica-
tions are required from Croppy Point to  Laughtondale,  and  this
will  probably involve 80m.  At least six personnel are required,
from 0900 to 1430, and those interested are  invited  to  contact
David Ramsay VK2KLX.

-- Dave VK2KFU, WICEN (NSW) Inc. Publicity Officer