A group of University of Queensland students and alumni will join thousands of firefighters and emergency volunteers from around the globe when they head to Sydney today to compete in the World Firefighter’s Games 2012.
UQ students Hugh Catterall, Isaac Cornish and Alex Moore, and alumnus Aaron Cornish are volunteers with the local State Emergency Services (SES) and will be attending the Games for the first time.
Running over ten days (October 19 to October 28), the Games celebrate the camaraderie, heroism, health, fitness and spirit of the men and women who work and volunteer in the fire department, emergency services, aviation and military organisations.
The Games have grown into one of the world’s largest participation sporting events and this year, 5000 people will compete across 71 sports including archery, arm wrestling, cycling, climbing, orienteering and disaster challenges.
The three UQ students and alumnus will battle it out for medals in dodgeball, beach cricket, billiards and horseshoes, and Isaac Cornish will also take part in the arm wrestling event.
Mr Catterall said he was looking forward to representing Australia on the world stage.
“The World Firefighter’s Games are a very important way to recognise those who care for the community and to admire their skills, as well as have a bit of fun and time off,” Mr Catterall said.
“A big highlight for me will be to meet all the SES and firefighters from around the world,” he said.
Since starting as a volunteer with the SES 16 months ago, Mr Catterall said he had experienced a number of rewarding moments, but there was one in particular that stood out.
“Earlier this year, I was deployed to Roma and Mitchell for a week during the major floods in that area. As I had seen the devastation first hand in Brisbane a year before, I wanted to do everything I could to help out,” he said.
“I remember helping an elderly lady clean the mud and rotting wood from her home of 40 years because she was too weak and didn't have anyone to help her.
“She was extremely grateful and we left her home in a much more lovable state than what it was after the flood waters had ravaged her home.
"Seeing the gratitude from her and the local council was very rewarding and I’m looking forward to the next chance I get to assist anyone in need.”
As well as learning valuable life skills to protect and promote community spirit, Mr Catterall has applied some of his business degree skills in his SES volunteering.
“A lot of the theoretical training and management in the SES is very similar and adaptable to what I have learnt so far in my business degree, particularly in regards to chain of command and managing limited resources,” he said.
For more information on the World Firefighter’s Games 2012 please visit http://www.worldfirefightersgames.com.au/home/home.cfm
Media: Caroline Bird, UQ Communications, 07 3365 1931 or c.bird1@uq.edu.au
