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  • Media Release

CFA’s Oscar Brigade wins 2026 Victorian Mine Rescue Competition

James Sorahan, Executive Director - MCA Victoria

02 March 2026

The Victorian Country Fire Authority’s Oscar Brigade technical rescue team has won one of the largest mine safety training exercises in Australia, taking top honours as best overall emergency rescue team after completing two days of nine challenging simulated emergency scenarios at the Minerals Council of Australia’s Victorian Mine Rescue Competition (VMRC) held in Bendigo over the weekend.

Teams from 13 mines from Victoria, NSW, South Australia and Tasmania and the CFA’s Oscar Brigade mine rescue response team based in Long Gully took part in the 33rd annual VMRC and the biggest competition to date, held over 28 February and 1 March at Fosterville Gold Mine and La Trobe University’s Bendigo campus.

BHP Copper SA came second and Victory Minerals Ballarat took out third place. Full details of all awards are available below.

The competition – a high-intensity emergency response training event that brings together mine rescue teams from across Australia and emergency services agencies – included simulated emergency scenarios in fire, road safety, rescue from heights, hazardous material, confined space rescue and more.

The VMRC has been running since 1993 and has grown into a truly national competition which also involves emergency response agencies including Ambulance Victoria and Victoria Police to help ensure first responders and safety agencies are prepared for any incidents across the state.

The competition is a critical part of the mining industry’s efforts to support highly trained rescue personnel through realistic scenario-based exercises, contributing greatly to the minerals industry’s commitment to zero harm.

MCA Victoria congratulated all participants and thanked the numerous volunteers and sponsors that made this vital mine safety training possible, along with La Trobe University and Fosterville Mine for hosting the event.

  • High-res photos from the event are available on request – please email Simon Troeth on troeth@minerals.org.au

 

Full results

Overall Winning Team

  1. CFA Oscar 1
  2. BHP Copper SA
  3. Victory Minerals Ballarat

Captain Award

Ryan Best Victory Minerals Ballarat

Overall Safety Award

Victory Minerals Ballarat

Confined Spaces Scenario Fire Scenario First Aid Scenario

 

 Hazmat Scenario Road Crash Rescue
1st New Hope Bengalla BHP Copper SA CFA Oscar 1 BHP Copper SA ISH24 Mutual Aid Women’s Team
2nd BHP Copper SA Alkane Costerfield BHP Copper SA New Hope Bengalla New Hope Bengalla & Northparkes
3rd CFA Oscar 1 Cement Australia Cornwall Coal ISH24 Mutual Aid Women’s Team Victory Minerals Ballarat/CFA Oscar 1
Ropes Rescue Skills Scenario Theory Scenario Underground Search and Rescue Breathing Apparatus
1st Victory Minerals Ballarat CFA Oscar 1 Stawell Gold Mines Victory Minerals Ballarat New Hope Bengalla
2nd BHP Copper SA ISH24 Mutual Aid Women’s Team Northparkes Cement Australia Cornwall Coal CFA Oscar 1
3rd ISH24 Mutual Aid Women’s Team Agnico Eagle Fosterville Cement Australia Cornwall Coal ISH24 Mutual Aid Women’s Team Cement Australia Cornwall Coal