The course is in the control of Macquarie Region Headquarters training and development officer Gavin Arnold and four trainers and assessors from other units participating. Unit members sitting the certificate had a number of theory and practical exercises to be completed both on and off the water.

On the second day there were a number of spectators and I would like to thank them for the courtesy they paid to the SES while we were having water time.

The decision to change venue’s from Burrendong Dam to the Nyngan site was only made a short time before the due date as it was preferable to train members on moving water rather than still, and with the Bogan River on the “move” it was ideal.

The second half of this certificate will take place on March 6 and 7, again on the Bogan River.

A big thank you to the Bogan Shire Council for the use of its facilities, the Outback Motor Inn and the RSL Club for looking after our visitors, and to the general public who came and had a “sticky”.

The course on the river will be set up in the same place as not to interfere with the recreational users of the Bogan River for the second half on the certificate.