Assessors agreed the teamwork, leadership and commitment made for the winning formula.

Captain on the day, Michael Murphy, said with its usual captain Matt Bailey unable to attend the team was required to work even more collaboratively to get across the line.

“We are all looking forward to the Australian competition to bring home the trophy for New South Wales,” he said.

The competition was held at the Hunter Valley Mines Rescue station on July 18.

The Hunter Valley coal mining industry has always supported the competition, allowing brigadesmen from underground mines to train and participate.

Besides being good, healthy competition, the event also provides a great opportunity for the mines’ teams and team members to get feedback on their team and individual performance.

It is also an opportunity for mine operations and their mine rescue units to test emergency response capabilities.

This year six teams – including two composite teams – battled it out for the title.

Each was put through five different active rescue scenarios that focused on possible emergency situations.

These included exercises in firefighting, search and rescue, extrications and applying first aid.

Theory and individual practical skills were also assessed.

Hunter Valley Mines Rescue regional manager David Connell said brigadesmen competitions were an invaluable way to develop safety skills.

“The types of scenarios have not changed too much over the past 30 years but neither have the basic mechanics of mining,” he said.

“What has changed is the attitude and focus on working more safely.”

His view was shared by mines rescue and regulation and compliance general manager Paul Healey.

“Thirty years ago workers accepted that mining was a dangerous industry,” he said.

“Today safety is prioritised above all else.

“Our primary focus today is to build proactive safety leaders for industry to prevent incidents and provide protection for industry.”