Submitted by VK2YJS on

Garry Barker VK2BR (VK2TSR) died peacefully on the evening of 15th September after a long illness. He was an enthusiastic member of a number of groups, including WICEN Sydney North. Mr Barker also served on the WICEN State Management Committee. His funeral service will be at Guardian Funerals, Cnr of First Avenue and Sunnyholt Road Blacktown, on Tuesday 24th September at 2.00pm

WICEN has received an invitation from our VRA sister squad, Cave Rescue, to have a small team participate in their multi agency exercise being held on November 9 & 10 in the Jenolan Caves area. Our involvement would not include entering the cave, only the provision of some surface communications. Of course, this is a valuable opportunity to witness the work of other VRA squads. Please contact Steven VK2BOS if you are interested in participating.

Recent bushfires act as a reminder that members need to be prepared for what may well be another spring and summer of extreme weather events, and associated activations.

WICEN yesterday provided communications support for the Trek for Timor will be in and around the Kangaroo Valley and Fitzroy Falls. This event raised significant funds to allow solar powered lights to be installed in the Remexio district. These will replace kerosene lamps which are both expensive to run, and generate harmful particulates, and will allow children to study at night. The project will train over 30 local young people in installing and maintaining the systems. It isw possible to support the project by visiting: http://www.kvrp.org.au/

The Illawarra Memory Walk and Jog is on Sunday, October 13, at Stuart Park, North Wollongong. Alzheimer's Australia NSW describe these as their flagship fundraising events.

The Hawkesbury Canoe Classic is scheduled for 26th and 27th of October. Due to the number of checkpoints, maritime mobile, and other stations, WICEN needs to field a large number of volunteers. If you wish to assist, even if you are not a member, please contact WICEN via its website. Those who have not taken part before will be teamed with an experienced operator. Members can reply to the email from the event Event Commander, Neil Fallshaw, VK2XNF.

WICEN ACT, part of the Canberra Region Amateur Radio Club have many events planned for October, in and around the ACT. Their website at www.crarc.ampr.org includes details of both WICEN and more general events, including an interesting lecture this Wednesday.

Note that the Light Car Club of Canberra event has been removed from their list.

Coming WICEN events include:

WICEN ACT's Brookvale Horse Endurance Ride, Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th of October.
Memory Walk & Jog in the Illawarra on October 13
Battle of the Beasts Mountain Bike Race on Sunday 20th October in VK1
SAREX Barrington Tops in mid to late October
Hawkesbury Canoe Classic on 26th and 27th of October
25th Fitz’s Challenge Bike Ride in the ACT on Sunday 27th October
BMSC Tumut Rally Saturday 2nd November, run by WICEN ACT
BMSC's Rallye de Femme to be conducted within the ACT, pencilled for Saturday 8th December
WICEN Victoria will be running the Murray Marathon canoe event between Christmas and New Year.

Submitted by Julian Sortland VK2YJS on behalf of the WICEN State Management Committee.