GM3’s Dendrobium Blue Mines Rescue Team were named overall winners at the 66th Annual Southern Mines Rescue Competition, held on Friday, 8 August 2025.
The event brought together six of the region’s best Mines Rescue Teams, including three from GM3 – Dendrobium Blue, Appin Pit Bulls, and Appin Green. They were joined by teams from Metropolitan and Tahmoor Mines.
Hosted at Appin Mine’ North Pit Top, the competition challenged teams with a series of simulated emergency scenarios designed to test their skills, strength, and teamwork under pressure. Teams were in scored in the categories of firefighting, first-aid and underground rescue.
After a hard-fought day of competition, Dendrobium Blue were awarded overall winners, with Metropolitan Pit Ponies named Runners Up. Dendrobium’s Rob Monkley was also recognised with the Best Captain award.
The achievements were celebrated at an Awards Dinner at City Beach Function Centre. Awards were also given to the following GM3 team members:
- Team MVPs: John Nellestein (Appin Pit Bulls), Rod Powell (Dendrobium Blue), Ben Allen (Appin Green)
- New Mines Rescue Brigade Members 2024: Joel Langham-Williams and Jason Wilde (Appin Mine)
- 5 Years of Service: Corey Blake (Appin Mine)
Thank you to all competitors, assessors and volunteers for making the event such a success, and to Appin North for hosting this year’s competition.
Photos by Coal Services