More than 100 volunteers from across the state have converged on the Wellington Caves Complex for one of the NSW State Emergency Service's (SES) most unique and challenging annual training events.
The two day caving exercise, called Wellington Wombats, pushed participants to test their skills in real world conditions.
Volunteers built their skills in advanced rope work, anchors, and rescue techniques, navigating tight underground passages under the guidance of experienced facilitators. The weekend strengthened both their technical capability and teamwork in a unique professional development setting.
For NSW SES Marrickville Unit volunteer Benita Adam, who has attended the annual Wombats event eight times since 2013, said the experience was as much about self discovery as it was about technical training.
"There's something incredible about learning new skills in such a safe, supportive environment," Ms Adam said.
"I'll never forget my first Wombats - crawling through a tiny cave opening feet first, thinking, 'I guess we find out this weekend if I'm claustrophobic!' By the end of the day, I came out feeling accomplished and like I'd learned something about myself, not just about caving."
Now a facilitator, Ms Adam guides participants from learning basic rope and caving techniques to completing complex self managed rescue scenarios.
"Seeing it all come together is the most rewarding part," she said.
"You watch people who've maybe never done anything like this before step up, work as a team, and leave with confidence they didn't have at the start of the weekend."
Hosted by the NSW SES Wellington Unit, the action-packed weekend featured skill rotations, day and night caving exercises.
Exercise Capability Coordinator and planning committee member, Stacy Duggen said the event was a highlight of the training calendar for many NSW SES members.
"For one weekend a year, the Wellington Caves turns orange as volunteers from every corner of NSW come together to challenge themselves, learn new skills, and build lifelong friendships,' Ms Duggan said.
"It's an incredible team effort, from the local Unit to our facilitators and support crews, to make this event happen.
"Beyond the technical training, Wellington Wombats embodies the teamwork and camaraderie that are at the heart of the NSW SES."
