Lake Mountain Ski Patrol (LMSP) is looking to boost its numbers in the lead up to the 2019 snow season, giving outdoors enthusiasts the chance to volunteer with a difference.

The patrol is recruiting people who can cross country ski, have basic first aid training, love to work outdoors and are keen to join the weekend roster for volunteers over the winter months.

‘Ski patrolling is a unique way of volunteering with a difference, says LMSP captain Tim Hatten.

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Volunteer ski patrollers at Lake Mountain, Kyle Roberts and Alex Williams.

‘Lake Mountain attracts thousands of day visitors each weekend over the winter making ski patrol a vital part of the smooth operations of the resort.’

Volunteer patrollers make a positive contribution by providing first aid support as well as assisting visitors to ensure that they have a safe and enjoyable experience.

‘I can’t emphasise enough the value of volunteering, whether it is with LMSP or any other community organisation. The sense of satisfaction gained from helping out, for no other reason than the desire to “’be of assistance”, is priceless,’ encourages Healesville-based Tim, whose day job is managing the Millgrove Outdoor Education Centre in the Upper Yarra Valley.

LMSP is enriched by its diverse membership with patrollers ranging from university students to active retirees and with backgrounds such as outdoor education, medical and allied health, emergency services, engineering, administration and communications.

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Volunteer ski patrollers Michelle Tomkins (left) and Nikki Paulding prepare to head out on the trails at Lake Mountain.

For patroller Alex Williams he enjoys being part of a team providing an essential service at Lake Mountain, and the opportunity to hone his first aid and skiing skills.

‘Ski patrol is a great community of volunteers,’ added the Alex who is an engineer.

Alex’s comments are echoed by fellow patroller, Kyle Roberts whose experience as a ski patroller helped give him the confidence for an even greater adventure. He and his brother founded a not-for-profit organisation, The Weight We Carry, to raise funds for a post natural disaster mental health charity in Nepal. By carrying canoes on their backs all the way to Mount Everest Base Camp, they have so far raised $80,000.  Kyle is Operations Manager of Ropepro High Access Services which uses ropes to abseil from high-up inaccessible areas such as tall buildings, wind turbines and bridges.

Nikki Paulding, sees ski patrol as a great way to combine her passion for pre-hospital healthcare and the outdoors.

‘As a nurse/paramedic it’s a great way to broaden my scope of practice,  thinking outside the box and solving challenges that I’m not exposed to in my day-to-day job,’ she says.

Patrollers:

  • need to be 18 years of age and over and be fit, competent skiers
  • have Provide First Aid (HLTAID003) and Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (HLTAID001) qualifications, with the view to attaining Advanced Emergency Care accreditation through the Australian Ski Patrol Association (ASPA)
  • need to be available to be rostered on weekend days throughout the winter
  • receive free entry to Lake Mountain Alpine Resort
  • are subsidised to gain Australian Ski Patrol Association (ASPA) certification.

For further information please contact LMSP Secretary, Bronwyn Howell on 0409 212 307, or email howell.bronwyn.b@edumail.vic.gov.au

Check out LMSP’s website at www.lakemountainskipatrol.org

Header image: Checking the trails at Lake Mountain last season are volunteer patrollers  Alex Williams and Kyle Roberts.