Workshops program

SATURDAY

Emergency Communication Options with Police Search and Rescue

Hosted by Nicole Bath and Ben Hall from Victoria Police Search and Rescue Squad

Discussion and show communication options for the wilderness in particular emergency communication considerations

  • GPS tracking options

  • Emergency beacons

  • Mobile phone

  • Power considerations

  • About an emergency call: When why who to call and the most important information to get out.

There will be an interactive component when a participant will be involved in a mobile locate interaction.

No need to bring equipment and no experience required.


You’ve rescued someone from an avalanche, now what? - with Dave Hagel @ Survive First Aid

Title of your workshop 

You’ve rescued someone from an avalanche or backcountry incident; Now What? Some basics on airway management and hyperthermia treatment in the Back Country. 


What specific skills or knowledge will participants gain from attending your workshop? Or what are the outcomes participants can expect after your workshop?  

This will be an introduction to some of the skill sets required in wilderness first aid on a snow environment tip. Participants will get a practitioner's perspective on the challenges of first aid in the back country and what can potentially be done. 

What prior background or experience should participants have? 

No previous experience required 

What equipment / tools / preparation should participants bring?  

No extra equipment or preparation required 

Could you describe the format of your workshop? Is it hands-on, interactive, lecture-style etc 

We’ll begin with a brief discussion and presentation and move onto some basic practical skills with demonstrations and a mini skills workshop including Hypothermia wraps which may be outside at times. 

What is your background and experience that qualifies you to teach this workshop? 

Dave is a professional outdoor practitioner of 20 years and Wilderness First Aid Trainer with Survive First Aid. He has a working background in alpine and winter Snow environments including, Ski Patrol, Mountain rescue, ski Instructing and guiding. 

Maximum number of participants 

20 participants. 


Building emergency shelters with Police Search and Rescue

Hosted by Nicole Bath and Ben Hall from Police Search and Rescue

Become more familiar with snow and build a snow shelter or a snow cave with your friends! This is a fun introduction to Winter Snow Camping where we'll discuss basic survival techniques for winter travel, demonstrate snow shelter techniques, site selection, snow quality in different areas and help you choose an ideal location to build your own shelter. What a sense of accomplishment to dig out your own shelter with the idea of eating a snack or enjoying a break in it!

Lesson will focus on building a tarp/trench shelter and we will make sure everyone has a go.

If there is no snow, or insufficient snow, the emergency shelter session will take place, and adapt to what is available. 

BYO snow shovel if you have one but not mandatory.

A maximum of 25 participants.


Building and Using Rescue Sleds 

Find out how emergency services get someone who is injured, in rough terrain, high snowy elevation, back to a safe location quickly. 

Hosted by:

  • Nicole Bath and Benjamin Hall from Police Search and Rescue

  • William McRae from Bright SES

Saturday 1pm for an hour will include:

  • Meetup at Last Run Bar

  • introduction talking

  • demo and hands on helping

  • We will have two demo options for with (SKED and a steep haul) and without snow (stretcher and a steep haul). 

Maximum of 25 participants.


How to get out of icy technical terrain with ice axes and crampons 

Full synopsis coming


SUNDAY

Companion Rescue Gear 101 with Kelly van den Berg 

What: This workshop is an introduction to the skills needed to rescue a buried avalanche victim. You will learn search techniques and how to effectively use your rescue gear, how to manage a group and work together as a team. We’ll cover common mistakes made during rescues and what to do once a buried partner is uncovered. Hands-on practice is key when it comes to learning these skills so we will spend a majority of this workshop on snow practicing with your rescue equipment and going through rescue scenarios. 

Who: This workshop is for skiers, snowboarders, hikers, snowshoers - anyone who goes into the backcountry in winter. This course is designed as an introduction for those who are new to the backcountry or as a refresher for those who do not regularly practice rescue skills.

Bring: You must have a beacon, shovel and probe. Dress warm and bring a pack and contents you would normally have with you when you head into the backcountry for a day. Come in your touring gear or snowshoes.

Workshop Goals

  • Wear & operate an avalanche beacon.

  • Perform a mock companion recovery of a single and/or multiple burial search 

  • Understand challenges involving multiple rescuers and learn basic group management & communication.

Who is Kelly van den Berg

  • CAA Operations Level 1 

  • Wilderness First Aid / Expedition Medicine UTAS

  • Field Observer for Mountain Safety Collective

  • Backcountry Guide and Outdoor Educator

Max participants: 12

Meet at Last Run Bar

Indoor theory approx 45 minutes - projector required

Outdoor practical approx 90 minutes


What’s in your day touring pack with Lewis Dowie

Title of your workshop: What's in your day pack - the essentials and optional extras for day touring in Australia. I'm keen to focus on day packs.

What specific skills or knowledge will participants gain from attending your workshop? Or what are the outcomes participants can expect after your workshop? Collaborative sharing of the items that we take into the back country to keep each other safe. Knowldge of the essentials. Gear tips and tricks. A deep dive into what Lewis has in his back pack (too much).

What prior background or experience should participants have? Zero background / previous experience required. Open to all skill / experience levels. Everyone has something of value to share.

What equipment / tools / preparation should participants bring? Ideally their day pack with the items they would normally take on a day tour. But if they come with an open mindset and nothing else, that is completely okay. 

Could you describe the format of your workshop? Is it hands-on, interactive, lecture-style etc Do you need projector? Indoor or outdoor venue? X minutes inside, then X minutes outside

Indoor venue, no projector needed. I might print off a bit of a paper checklist to reference. It will involve a bit of talking (lecture style), passing gear around, collaborative discussion.

What is your background and experience that qualifies you to teach this workshop? 

Lewis has 10+ years experience working as an outdoor educator, he has a Bachelor of arts in Outdoor Education, he has completed his AST 1 & 2 training courses, along with multiple wilderness first aid courses, he has been backcountry skiing since 2016 in Australia, Canada and Japan, and is a peer trainer and member of Bush Search and Rescue Victoria. Lewis loves picking up tips and tricks from other people he tours with, and is constantly refining his equipment and systems, always striving for further optimisation. He has a tendency to carry too much when heading into the backcountry. 

Maximum number of participants 10-15 is ideal.


Cross Country Navigation with Patrick Howlett

Title of your workshop: Cross Country Navigation

What specific skills or knowledge will participants gain from attending your workshop? Or what are the outcomes participants can expect after your workshop? 

Understand basic map reading skills and how to navigate cross country using a map and compass 

What prior background or experience should participants have?

None I can start from scratch and if they have some basic knowledge we will just move along quicker

What equipment / tools / preparation should participants bring? 

Ruler, HB pencil, eraser and compass if they have one other wise I will bring a few spares. Walking shoes and warm clothes for outdoor practical session.

Could you describe the format of your workshop? Is it hands-on, interactive, lecture-style etc Do you need projector? Indoor or outdoor venue?

Start in the classroom and go through the theory side of the class which will be most of the session followed by some practice and confirmation of skills outside.

What is your background and experience that qualifies you to teach this workshop?

Dad taught me how to read  a map and use a compass before I was 10. I have competed at a National and state championships level Rogaining and in Syd district Orienteering have regularly been the lead navigator in my Adventure Racing Teams twice at World Series Events I have taught basic Nav skills at the Army Recruit Training Center as the Aircrewman on EMS helicopters in 3 states part of my role was to navigate to and from accidents and emergencies. I made all our maps for the Yukon 1000 and so far I have never got so badly lost the SES have been sent looking for me. 

Maximum number of participants

8 would be ideal but anything up to 12



Up cycling hat creation with Terra Rosa Gear

What specific skills or knowledge will participants gain from attending your workshop? Or what are the outcomes participants can expect after your workshop?

Hopefully be inspired to give up cycling and sewing a red hot attempt.

What prior background or experience should participants have

None

What equipment / tools / preparation should participants bring?

None

Could you describe the format of your workshop? Is it hands-on, interactive, lecture-style etc

Slightly hands on for closer folks. Maybe a bit of help cutting etc but I will step by step demonstrate  the process.

What is your background and experience that qualifies you to teach this workshop?

Operating Terra Rosa Gear 

Maximum number of participants

As many can fit into the Last Run Bar and see the process. 

Do you need a projector? Will you BYO laptop? Time inside vs outside?

No projector. Ill bring the sewing machine and equipment. All inside.


Managing waste in the backcountry- build your own poo tube 

What specific skills or knowledge will participants gain from attending your workshop? Or what are the outcomes participants can expect after your workshop? This workshop aims to educate participants on the importance of appropriate human waste management in sensitive alpine areas. You should come away from the workshop with an understanding of the impacts that eventuate as a result of poor practices, and how to avoid them. Each participant will also build their own poo tube to take away from the workshop

What prior background or experience should participants have? 

Zero experience needed. It will suit all people who currently, or have a desire to spend time in fragile alpine ecosystems.

What equipment / tools / preparation should participants bring? 

Nothing - all supplied by VBCF

Could you describe the format of your workshop? Is it hands-on, interactive, lecture-style etc. 

Hands on, interactive.

What is your background and experience that qualifies you to teach this workshop? 

I have a background in outdoor education and have spend hundreds of days in the backcountry. Most recently I lived in the NSW high country for 10 weeks where we relied on appropriate waste management techniques (Poo tubes) to minimise our impact.

Maximum number of participants- 10 active participants, as many observers as can fit in the room 



Snow camping gear shakedown

Full synopsis from Owen Lansbury coming


Carve & Capture - Snow Photography with Jack and Andy

Here is our 2 X Bio's;

The teachers:

Andy is a commercial cinematographer & photographer based in the Victorian Highcountry. Traveling globally to capture commercial work and teach filmmaking in California at Yeah Field Trip for a period of 5 years. Andy’s experience comes from shooting a variety of conditions and styles both within the action sports realm and commercially directing for brands ranging from Mini, Fever Tree, Hard Yakka, and adventure-based content such as Specialized Bikes, Riparide, and Arcteryx. His latest personal work in Georgia, Racha being showed as a part of the Backcountry films being screened at the Genny on Sunday at VBCF.

Jack Arthur is a Photographer and Social Media consultant contracting for Vails Resorts, shooting the current Falls Creek winter season. Jack has contracted as a photographer for Dragon Optics, Mountain Watch, Hakuba Hotel Group, Vails Ski Resorts and many other ski brands, capturing content for Social media and Brand campaigns. Outside of snow, Jack runs a marketing company, Snowgum Marketing, providing social media management for brands in the Wine, Aviation, Hotel and Snow industries.

Lesson Plan: 3-Hour On-Snow Ski Photography Course at Mt Hotham, Victoria

Course Overview: This ski photography course is designed to equip participants with hands-on skills to capture stunning ski and snowboarding moments with a focus for Social Media.The course will focus on practical techniques for on-snow photography, covering camera settings, action shots, and onshoot logistics to get that dramatic pow turn!  

Duration: 2- 3 hours (weather permitting)

Prerequisites:

Introduction and Gear Setup (At Hotham Car Park)

Welcome and Objectives

  • Introduce the course's focus on on-snow photography techniques.

  • Set expectations for hands-on learning and practical application.

  • Camera and Gear Setup

  • Discuss essential camera equipment for on-snow photography.

  • Configure camera settings for the snowy environment: ISO, aperture, and shutter speed.

On-Snow Action Shots. Capturing Dynamic Moments

  • Techniques for capturing action-packed skiing and snowboarding shots.

  • Practical tips for framing and composition while on the slopes.

On-Snow Practical Shooting and Immediate Review 

  • Participants head out to a designated location on the slopes.

  • Apply techniques learned to capture on-snow action shots.

  • Participants review and discuss their captured images.

  • Facilitator provides immediate feedback and suggestions for improvement.

Participant Sharing and Conclusion

  • Participant Photo Sharing

  • Participants share their best on-snow shots with the group.

  • Group discussion and feedback on the shared images.

Course Wrap-Up

  • Recap key takeaways from the on-snow photography techniques covered.

  • Encourage continued practice and exploration of on-snow photography.

Note: This focused course provides participants with immediate on-snow photography skills and techniques. The emphasis is on practical learning, enabling participants to confidently capture dynamic moments in the snowy environment.