This year's competition team included Linda Snyman - the first female captain at Northparkes to lead a team to victory - Jamie Pope, Scott MacKenzie, Ellie Hawkins, Jade Walker, Travis Carte, Matt Flynn and Wayne Sargent.

Northparkes placed first in breathing apparatus, first in theory, first in rope rescue, third in first aid, third in the captain's assessment and third in search and rescue.

The well-respected national competition has been held for 27 years and attracts teams from mines across Australia.

The 2019 competition took place on Sunday, October 20, in Yallourn, where teams competed in a number of challenges demonstrating theoretical and practical mine rescue skills across three days.

Managing Director Hubert Lehman extended a huge congratulations to the competition team and the entire group of ERT members who train year-round to ensure they are ready to assist in case of an emergency.

"We are enormously proud of each and every one of you," he said

Another highlight was Travis Carte, Northparkes ERT member, being announced as the overall winner of the theory component.

"We have sent members of our ERT to compete in the competition for the past 24 years and were named the overall winner in 2009, 2014 and 2015," Hubert said.

"Our consistent success at this competition reflects the hard work of our ERT members to stay at the leading edge of emergency response practices."

Northparkes Manager People, Safety & Environment Stacey Kelly said, "Zero Harm is our approach to every aspect of our operations and our ability to respond to emergency scenarios is a critical part of this. Competitions such as this allow us to practice our skills and benchmark ourselves against others in the industry."

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