A hidden collection of silent sheds in the Mount Evelyn bush came to life when the Victorian Railways held their annual First Aid competitions.

A First Aid competition existed since 1911 among Victorian Railway employees. In 1944 Blanche and Charles Mitchell, who lived in Mount Evelyn, donated six acres of bushland to the Victorian Railways as a setting for the events. Seeing a Railway First Aid competition in progress in Lilydale, Blanche had been reminded of the timely first aid given to her sister by a railway worker after an accident. The land was formally named the Blanche Mitchell Railway Competition Ground, but known as the First Aid Post. The donation document was worded to make it difficult to sell the land or use it for other purposes.

This site was used for state and national railway competitions. There were two levels of competition, novice and senior, and two levels of award, team and individual. Regional winners travelled to Melbourne and then to the competition grounds by train. The adjudicators called up team members individually during the journey for an oral test on their knowledge of the St John Ambulance manual.

The competition ground consisted of five or six open-fronted sheds, each surrounded by a fence and observation benches. Scenic backdrops hung at the back of the sheds, to enhance the accident scenarios. There was a VIP tent for dignitaries, isolation tents for competitors and a 'wet tent' for drinkers.

When called to compete, the team was led to a shed scene where assorted ‘patients’ lay, and handed a ‘history sheet’ to explain what had happened. They had to respond as quickly as possible in two different contexts: ‘Supplied’, using a standard first aid kit, and 'Improvised', when they acted out their response using clothing that they might expect to have with them, such as shirts, pullovers, bootlaces and hats.

The railways ceased hosting the First Aid competitions in 1992. The First Aid Post reserve has been signposted from the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail, so it is easy to find. If you drive, take David Road.

'Accident' scene, from RailWays magazine.

Competition scene, Public Archives.