Happening over eight action packed days in March 2023, the Australasian Police and Emergency Services Games is yet another way to celebrate this community.
Australia’s community of emergency service workers provide all levels of care and protection to us, and often when we need it most. While it’s often assumed that working as a firefighter, a nurse, a paramedic or being a member of the police force requires unusual working hours and conditions on any given day, it’s easy to forget that the ongoing events of the COVID-19 pandemic affect those on the front lines on a day to day basis too.
With roughly 300,000 Australians working full time in the emergency services, ensuring that this sector of the national workforce and their families have access to a healthy work life balance is paramount. As such, events like the Australasian Police and Emergency Services Games are a way for this sector to come together and celebrate their connection through sport.
What Competitors Can Expect From APES2023
The Australasian Police and Emergency Services Games, otherwise known as APES, might not have a history that goes as far back as the Olympics, but it does have deep ties to the community it focuses on. First held in 1984, the inaugural Australian National Police Games were founded with the intention of bringing the state’s Police Service personnel together under the common banner of sport. With humble beginnings, seven sports were offered and attracted nearly one thousand competitors, but at the time, eligibility was confined to serving Victoria Police Officers only. In following years, the Games evolved with additional sports being added, unsworn staff and retired police officers invited to compete.Upon its success, all states and territories were soon invited to compete with the Victoria Police Games being held in conjunction with the National Police Games, with the number of sports on offer expanding to twenty one.
Over the years, the Victoria Police Games has evolved to include a significant expansion of the eligibility criteria. Initially the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, Country Fire Authority, Sheriff’s Office and Ambulance Victoria were invited to compete and join the Games in 1993, with interest from New Zealand and other Pacific nations also expanding the competition outside of Australian states and territories. In 2002, the Victoria Police Games Federation made the decision to re-title the Games as the Australasian Police and Emergency Services Games.
Like no other event on the Emergency Services calendar, the Australasian Police and Emergency Services Games builds camaraderie and promotes a healthy lifestyle through participation in sport, while heightening the public’s awareness of Police and Emergency Services. As the Games are conducted every second year at a new location, this rotation provides competitors and their families the opportunity to travel and enjoy a holiday at numerous locations throughout Australia and New Zealand. In 2023, the Australasian Police and Emergency Services Games are set to take place in Rotorua, a major hub on New Zealand’s North Island.
With over fifty different sports now on offer at the Games, competitors are reminded that registering for team or individual places in advance is a must. As the Games are not open to the public, it’s also important to add any friends or family members who intend on getting in the spirit and cheering on their loved ones from the sidelines. While police and other emergency service workers have access to unique celebrations such as APES2023, other benefits include the fact that they are often favourably viewed by the banks because of the perceived stability and employment options.
However, these benefits can be tricky to source and navigate on your own, which is why partnering with an experienced mortgage broker who specialises in these fields is a must – but where do you find one?
Your Guide For Navigating The World Of Home Loans
With a background in banking, finance, business development and project management, there’s no better advocate to have on your team than Nikki Berzin. As a fully qualified mortgage broker and director of Cherry Lending & Finance, Nikki is passionate about all things finance, and empowering her clients with the tools to hit their property goals is what she does best.
If you’re looking to get into your first home, purchase an investment property or even want to look at your options for refinancing, the first step is starting the conversation. Get in touch with Nikki today, or call her directly on 0427 374 155 to bring your mortgage dreams to life.
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