A look back at the inaugural GEM Mutual Aid Weekend. The full program, venues, rotations and kit lists from 2026 live on here, so you can see how it all ran and what to expect next time.
All comms across the weekend were pushed through the Acenda app, including schedule changes, venue updates and safety notices. We'll run comms the same way next time, so it's worth getting set up early.
Three days across Kalgoorlie and Paddington. Here's how it ran, where everything happened, and what teams brought along.
All participants, suppliers and sponsors were invited to an informal meet and greet before the weekend kicked off. A chance to meet the other teams, sponsors and workshop facilitators, and settle in.
A short brief of the weekend and inductions were run here too, so it was well worth being in the room.
Catering by Cafe 312, with drinks available for purchase at the bar.
Teams rotated through practical workshops delivered by our industry partners:
Sessions ran for 60 minutes each, from 7:15 am to 3:15 pm, with 15 minute changeovers and an hour lunch break from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. Lunch was not provided on Friday, and the break gave everyone time to grab something in town.
Teams rotated through realistic emergency response scenarios, applying the skills built during Friday's workshops:
Scenarios ran for 90 minutes each, from 7:15 am to 4:30 pm, with 15 minute changeovers and lunch from 12:15 pm to 1:15 pm, provided on site courtesy of Mac's Deli. The longer sessions gave teams more time for coaching and debriefs.
Getting there. Allow up to 25 minutes travel. Head 26 km north of Kalgoorlie on the Goldfields Highway, turn left onto Black Flag-Ora Banda Road, then after 4 km turn right towards Paddington and follow the marked route to the Fire Ground.
The pin marks the Fire Ground training area. Follow the written directions above from the Goldfields Highway to reach it. Open in Google Maps
Alternatively, park at the Paddington car park and personnel could be escorted or transported to the training ground from there.
There are no toilets at the training ground, however transport into the processing plant to use the facilities ran throughout the day.
Once the scenarios wrapped up, all participants, sponsors, volunteers and supporters were invited to the GEM Celebration Dinner. A night to unwind, catch up with the other crews, and celebrate the inaugural weekend.
A standing cocktail style menu was served throughout the evening, catered by Boulder Bites.
A look back at the workshops and scenarios that made up the inaugural weekend, across Kalgoorlie and Paddington.
Every group completed every session across the two days. Here's how the rotations were laid out.
| Group | 7:15–8:15 | 8:30–9:30 | 9:45–10:45 | 11:00–12:00 | 1:00–2:00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | GasTech | Archer Access | Interfire | ISH24 | Aero Medical |
| B | Archer Access | Interfire | ISH24 | Aero Medical | GasTech |
| C | Interfire | ISH24 | Aero Medical | GasTech | Archer Access |
| D | ISH24 | Aero Medical | GasTech | Archer Access | Interfire |
| E | Aero Medical | GasTech | Archer Access | Interfire | ISH24 |
Friday sessions: GasTech, Gas Detection · Archer Access, Rope Rescue Techniques · Interfire, Vehicle Extrication Tools · ISH24, Rescue Techniques & Equipment · Aero Medical, Medical. Sessions ran for 60 minutes with 15 minute changeovers. Lunch 12:00 to 1:00 pm, not provided on Friday.
| Group | 7:15–8:45 | 9:00–10:30 | 10:45–12:15 | 1:15–2:45 | 3:00–4:30 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | GasTech & ISH24 | Aero Medical | Riklan | Interfire & SETS | Archer Access |
| B | Archer Access | GasTech & ISH24 | Aero Medical | Riklan | Interfire & SETS |
| C | Interfire & SETS | Archer Access | GasTech & ISH24 | Aero Medical | Riklan |
| D | Riklan | Interfire & SETS | Archer Access | GasTech & ISH24 | Aero Medical |
| E | Aero Medical | Riklan | Interfire & SETS | Archer Access | GasTech & ISH24 |
Saturday scenarios: GasTech & ISH24, Confined Space Rescue · Archer Access, Rope Rescue · Interfire & SETS, Vehicle Extrication · Riklan, Entrapment Workshop & Scenario · Aero Medical, Medical. Scenarios ran for 90 minutes with 15 minute changeovers. Lunch 12:15 to 1:15 pm, provided on site.
Catering was arranged for Thursday evening, Saturday lunch and the Saturday Celebration Dinner. Friday lunch was your own, in town.
Dietary requirements were catered for right across the weekend. Same again next time, just let us know ahead of the event.
