Every year Bush Search and Rescue NSW (BSAR) organises and runs the Australian Emergency Services Wilderness Navigation Shield or NavShield.

The 2022 event will be held 16-17 July 2022

This premier navigation event attracts entries from local, interstate and overseas organisations, including:

• VRA, both regional and specialist squads
• SES
• Police including Police Rescue
• Ambulance and Special Operations Team
• Rural Fire Service
• Other emergency services including rescue helicopters and medical teams
• Armed Forces
• Bushwalking Clubs
• and others

Age restrictions: All participants must be >18yrs old with the exception of NSW SES / RFS operational members (not cadets) who must be >16yrs old.

Participants may be required to sign an acknowledgement of risk and risk waiver.

The event is acknowledged to be an important training event for the NSW emergency services. Entry is open to all groups that participate in search and rescue activities. Bushwalking Clubs, outdoor groups and Members of Rogaining Associations are also welcome.

Participants test their bush and compass navigation abilities in an overnight event through 100 square km of wilderness terrain a few hours drive from Sydney, Australia. The location of the event is different each year.

This year we are going to Tarlo River National Park. This is a rarely visited park which normally has no public access. It is about 20km north of Goulburn and south of Wombeyan Caves. We have arranged special access to the park for this event with NPWS and local landholders so you have a rare chance to see this hidden gem.

The base site will be on a private farm bordering Tarlo River National Park.

At the Base Site:

• Toilets – Portable toilets are provided.
• Water – Each team should bring their own drinking water for use at base.
• Food – Catering is provided.  
• Accommodation – self-sufficient camping. Be prepared for winter conditions.
• COVID – The event is running under a COVID plan and will be COVID safe. 
• Firewood – No collecting firewood at base or in the National Park, and no fires on the ground at base. Fires at base must be in a portable fire pit and you must bring your own wood. Chainsaws are prohibited at NavShield.
• Children – Families with children are welcome at NavShield. However, children must remain at base during the event, and must remain under the supervision of a parent or legal guardian at all times.
• Pets – Leave them at home, as we are going to a sensitive farming area and National Park so pets are banned from entering. If you need to bring a disability assistance animal please contact the event organisers prior to coming to NavShield.
• Getting there – The base site borders Tarlo River National park and is a little over a 2 hour drive from Sydney. The exact location will be revealed one week before the event.
• Merchandise – There will be no merchandise available this year.
• Event Timetable:

Friday

18:00 – Team registration opens at base

22:00 – Team registration closes

Saturday

06:30 – Team registration re-opens

08:40 – Final briefing for all participants

09:00 – Event commences

18:00 – One day event concludes

19:00 – Presentation of one day event awards

Sunday

12:00 – Two day event concludes

13:00 – Presentation of two day event awards

Contact

Brian Stirk

Email: navshield@bsar.org.au

Bush Search & Rescue NSW (BSAR) is a specialist unit of the NSW State Emergency Service (SES).