Dendrobium Blue set sights on Australian Mines Rescue title

Six Mines Rescue teams from across the region competed at the 66th Annual Southern Mines Rescue competition on Friday, 8 August 2025.

Held at the GM3 Appin North mine, teams faced intense challenges designed to simulate real-life mine rescue scenarios, including hazard identification, casualty extraction, first aid, and firefighting. Teams demonstrated exceptional proficiency, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities throughout the competition.

In a tight competition, the Metropolitan Pit Ponies were named runners-up, while Dendrobium Blue were declared overall winners at the presentation dinner following the event.
Dendrobium Blue were also awarded Best First Aid Team, Best Underground Team, and team captain, Rob Monkley, was named Best Captain.

“This was a tough and physical competition that pushed us to our absolute limits”, explained Rob. “In my 10 years of competing, this was by far the hardest event I’ve faced.”
“I’d also like to thank Simon Thomas, our GM Manager of GM3 Dendrobium Mine for his ongoing support of me and the team. A big thank you to Southern Mines Rescue for organising such a demanding event that really tested us today. To the captains and teams we competed against, you always set the bar incredibly high. And finally, to my team—your effort and teamwork were outstanding. It’s a real privilege to represent the district at the Australian competition in October.”

Mines Rescue competitions play a crucial role in promoting a culture of safety and preparedness, ensuring that mining communities remain protected in the event of emergencies.

“Competitions like these are vital in maintaining and improving the emergency response capabilities of mining professionals,” said Chris Strohfeldt, Regional Manager, Southern Mines Rescue.
“We congratulate all the teams for their hard work and commitment to safety. Their dedication to mine safety and rescue readiness exemplifies the highest standards of the industry. Special thanks to GM3 for allowing us to host the competition at their Appin North mine.”