Inverell Rescue Squad - VRA Rescue NSW

12/10/2025

Sincere respect to our fallen colleagues in rescue. 💚. Thank you for your service. 🤝

10/10/2025

Due to administrative requirements we need to bookshelf our Inverell Rescue Squad - VRA Rescue NSW page and migrate to a newly created page. Modifications to the old page was not possible.

Please follow us on the link below to keep appraised of our VRA Rescue NSW activities and events that support the communities of Inverell and surrounds.

The same local content will still remain but be further enhanced to really keep our followers informed of our organisations journey.

https://www.facebook.com/share/14PRHG7TGPa/

Serving the Inverell and surrounding communities for over 40 years VRA Rescue NSW is a leading volunteer-based organisation dedicated to providing emergency rescue services 24/7/365.

09/10/2025

🚨 Inverell Rescue Squad held their Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 1/10/25🚨

We want to begin by sincerely thanking our outgoing leadership team. Your commitment, countless hours on call and tireless work behind the scenes have built the strength and capability of our squad. The difference you have made will be felt for many years to come. 👏

And we would like to thank our community for their ongoing support that helps us do what we do by helping them at times when they need us most.

Looking to the year ahead, we are proud to introduce and congratulate our new leadership team:
• President: Jason Tom
• Secretary: Madlen Heap
• Treasurer: Mel Warner
• Deputy Captain and vice president: Harvey Heap
• Senior Deputy Captain: JasonTom
• Captain and training officer: Brodie Warner

These members take on the important responsibility of guiding the squad’s training, readiness and community engagement. We know they will continue the tradition of strong, skilled and compassionate leadership.

We were also honoured to welcome our new deputy commissioner Alix Thom VRA Rescue NSW Deputy Commissioner - Alix Thom who popped in to say hi and meet our team. 🫡

To every member past and present: thank you for giving your time, skills and heart to keep our community safe. 💚

VRA Rescue NSW
VRA Rescue NSW - Region North
VRA Rescue NSW Commissioner, Brenton Charlton

09/10/2025

🚨🐍 Snake Season is Here 🐍🚨

With the warmer weather, snakes are on the move – so here are some handy tips and facts to help keep you and your family safe.

✅ If you see a snake, back away slowly. Most snakes are shy and will avoid you if given the chance.
✅ Avoid walking in the bush with open-toed shoes, and wear long pants.
✅ If hiking, consider carrying a pressure bandage.
✅ Remember – spring is peak snake activity, as males are searching for females.

📞 If you need help with a snake on your property, WIRES (1300 094 737) can provide details of local handlers.

⚠️ If bitten by a snake:
1️⃣ Call 000 immediately.
2️⃣ Keep the patient as still as possible – lying down if you can.
3️⃣ Apply a pressure immobilisation bandage to the limb (not too tight).
4️⃣ If the bite isn’t on a limb, apply firm pressure to the site with your hand.
5️⃣ Stay calm, keep still, and wait for paramedics to arrive.
👉 Do not try to capture or kill the snake.

⸻

🔎 Fast Snake Facts:
• Snakes are deaf and use their tongues to “smell” the air.
• They are found on every continent except Antarctica.
• They have no eyelids, and their eyes go cloudy before shedding.
• The Anthill python of WA is the world’s smallest python.
• The yellow-bellied sea snake is the most widespread snake on earth.
• Anti-venom is made by using horse antibodies.
• The king cobra is the world’s longest venomous snake and even eats other snakes.
• Australia’s longest snake is the amethystine (scrub) python, growing up to 6m.
• And – there are no snakes in New Zealand!

📸 Pictured: An Eastern Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis), the world’s second most venomous snake, in a defensive posture.

Stay safe this season, and give snakes the space they need.

VRA Rescue NSW
VRA Rescue NSW Commissioner, Brenton Charlton
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The Northern Rivers Times
7NEWS Coast
ABC North Coast
The Northern Star
NBN Television
2LM
100.9 ZZZ FM

09/10/2025

Appointment of Deputy Commissioner – Alix Thom

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Alix as the new Deputy Commissioner of VRA Rescue NSW.

Alix brings an exceptional background in policing, law, and emergency management, combined with a genuine passion for supporting volunteers and strengthening community safety across New South Wales.

She has contributed to major emergency responses and played a key role in state level coordination. Her expertise in governance, compliance, and risk management has ensured operational decisions consistently meet statutory obligations and best practice standards safeguarding both our people and the communities we serve.

Academically, Alix holds a Bachelor of Laws, a Master of Leadership and Management in Policing and Security, and a Master of Emergency Management. She is currently completing her Doctor of Public Safety, with research focused on operational command structures in crisis.

What sets Alix apart is her commitment to volunteers and local communities. Having worked extensively across regional and rural NSW, she understands the unique challenges faced by geographically disadvantaged areas. She is deeply committed to fostering positive culture, wellbeing, and professional development for those on the front line.

As an experienced communicator, she is confident in engaging with media, leading complex multi-agency collaboration, and representing VRA Rescue NSW in high level forums. Her leadership will strengthen our ability to deliver professional, accountable, and resilient rescue services aligned with our Strategic Plan 2023–2027 focusing on collaboration, innovation, training, and member wellbeing.

Please join us in welcoming Deputy Commissioner Alix Thom to VRA Rescue NSW. We look forward to the energy, vision, and experience she will bring in supporting Commissioner Charlton and leading alongside our members.

VRA Rescue NSW Commissioner, Brenton Charlton
VRA Rescue NSW - Region North
VRA Rescue NSW - Region East
VRA Rescue NSW - Region South
VRA Rescue NSW - Region West