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The EK Healy Cup is considered one of Queensland’s two elite mine rescue competitions and is comprised of the state’s top eight mine rescue teams.
Kestrel mine rescue team will now go on to compete at a national level in the Australian Underground Mines Rescue Competition in October this year.
Kestrel rescue team captain Derrin Powell, who also won the Matt Best Memorial Trophy for Best Captain, said the team became eligible to participate after taking home the Queensland Mines Rescue Service Memorial Cup earlier in the year.
“Over the course of the day we competed in surface fire and compressed air breathing apparatus exercises, theory and first aid drills; and in the underground environment we competed in search and rescue, data gathering and patient recovery exercises,” Powell said.
“It was a tough competition this year with the other seven teams competing strongly so we were very satisfied to come away with the result.”
Other members of the Kestrel team are Dave Taylor, Luke Jaavuo, Chris Catip, Jason Francis, Anthony Appleton, Dave O’Regan and Ben Lang.
Kestrel general manager operations John Coughlan said each team member showcased the mine site’s strong commitment to health and safety, translating into the two wins.
“They now qualify to represent not only Rio Tinto and Kestrel mine but their state at the Australian Underground Mines Rescue Competition later in the year,” he said.
“I would like to take the opportunity to recognise the efforts of everyone from Kestrel mine and the Queensland Mines Rescue Service in arranging training and supporting the team in the lead up to the competition.”
