General News
21 October, 2024
Friendly challenge for first responders
Emergency services and scouts had the chance to participate in some friendly competition at this year's Horsham Show as they battled it out in the inaugural emergency services volunteer (EMSV) plaque competition.
Ambulance Victoria workers from Horsham and Rupanyup, SES Horsham volunteers, CFA and the scouts tested the obstacle course that featured a pallet maze, tyre run, mini golf, hop scotch, billy carts and more.
Horsham A & P Society committee member Emily Friedrichsen initiated the concept and ran the competition which showcased skills.
"It's to celebrate the work that they do for the community," she said. "It's healthy competition and all about participation."
The competition was split into three heats with the course changed each time.
Heat one saw team members find their way through the pallet maze and then push their team member on a billy cart before a team task to build a tower of wooden planks.
Later heats included building a three-base tower then a two-base tower.
"It's all about working as a team and showing the community the skills they have learnt," Ms Friedrichsen said.
"The scouts had the youngest team members but did the same course."
Cub scouts Lexi Khan and Leyton Hay, both nine, completed the course with small adjustments to the wood-tower team task.
"It's really magic watching nine-year-olds taking the same course," Ms Friedrichsen said. "This just proves it doesn't matter how old you are, it's all about working together as a team."
Ms Friedrichsen said finish times were averaged to calculate a winner.
Ambulance Victoria representatives Emilie Woodhead and Morgan Young came in first place followed by SES Horsham volunteers Stephen Roberts and Harry Denovan in second.
Third place was awarded to the scouts represented by parent committee member Lachie Walker, scout Lewis Walker 13, cub scout Lexi Khan and Leyton Hay with CFA volunteers Curtis Vanstan and Darcey Kilpatrick finishing fourth.
Ms Friedrichsen said community organisations or emergency services could contact her on 0439 105 379 if they wanted to be involved in next year's event.