Events
Thank you to everyone who raised funds by nominating the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service as their charity of choice in this year's City2Surf. We hope you achieved your individual goals on the day.
Sydney International Boat Show 2010
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The Sydney International Boat Show proved to be a great success again this year. The show provided a fantastic opportunity to engage with the communities which we serve. Thank you to all the people who came to our stand:- purchased merchandise, spoke with our crew and learnt more about our Service. Your kind words of support and enthusiasm made for a very enjoyable time.
Rescue Base Open Day 28 March 2010
The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service held its inaugural Rescue Base Open Day on Sunday 28 March 2010.
The crew were joined by other search, rescue and emergency organisations and showcased the diverse tasks and missions undertaken across the Sydney community. Kids (big and small) were able to get up close to the lineup of emergency service vehicles including Police cars, Fire trucks and surf rescue boats.
There were action-packed demonstrations throughout the day, including simulated helicopter winch rescues, the Police Rescue and Bomb Squad's "bomb robot" and the Australian Federal Police Currency Detection Sniffer dogs.
Como Jannali Rotaract and Rotary members distributed almost 400 rescue licences to the kids who attended the day and cooked up a storm serving over 800 sausage sandwiches!
The response we had from exhibitors, local business and the general public was phenomenal to say the least, with more than 2,000 people visiting our base at Cape Banks.
While the day was more about raising awareness and promoting community involvement, the funds raised were definitely an added bonus with $8926.00 raised for the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service. A fantastic outcome - thanks to all involved.
On behalf of the crew and staff at the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service, we would like to sincerely thank the following people/organisations for their support of our Rescue Base Open:
Active Hire Group HSBC Waratahs
Amcor James Morrison
ARC 3D James Castrission & Justin Jones
Bakers Delight Mascot Kennards Hire Waverley
Big Al’s Corporate Cars La Perouse Dharawal Dancers
Blue Thunder Down Under La Perouse Public School
BSG Australia L J Hooker Maroubra
Budget Petrol Matraville Middlemass Group Pty Ltd
Bunnings Warehouse Mascot National Parks & Wildlife
Bunnings Warehouse Rockdale Onsite
Campbells Meats Hillsdale Shimano Fish Australia
C & C Chicken SKS Printing
Chris Vrontas Snap Printing Botany
Como Jannali Rotaract St Michael’s Golf Club
Como Jannali Rotary The Juniors
DP World The Sands Hotel Maroubra
Des Renford Aquatic Centre Think Direct
Eastern Suburbs PCYC Tony’s @ La Perouse
Farm Fresh Meats Pagewood Walkers Party Hire Matraville
Woolworths Supermarket Pagewood
Special thanks to members of the Como Jannali Rotaract and Rotary Clubs who worked tirelessly to ensure the day was a success. Thanks also to the volunteers from: Bilgola, Collaroy, Coogee Long Reef, Newport, Long Reef, South Maroubra Whale Beach, Wanda surf clubs.
What an amazing day!
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Become an Everyday Hero and help us raise funds:
We would like to thank Sue-Ellen and Jordan Middleton (above) for their efforts in raising funds for our Service. They were on a personal mission to run the Sydney Half Marathon on the 16th May 2010, coming in at approximately 1 hour & 53 minutes. Through the Everyday Hero website, and support from friends and family they raised a total of $1,125.00. Congratulations - great job !!
You too can support your local Rescue Helicopter Service by creating a fundraising page in just minutes at www.everydayhero.com.au . You can create a personalised fundraising page . Click on www.everydayhero.com.au follow the easy steps, and then email it to your family and friends to gain their support.
Past Events
Fundraising BBQ - Kingsford Timber Mitre 10 Saturday 27 June 2009
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What a great day! Shoppers arrived at Mitre 10 to the smell of freshly cooked bacon, egg and sausage sandwiches which were served up with a smile by Stewart Bailey (Air-Crewman) and Tara Johnson (Volunteer Rescue Crew). Thank you also to Nicola Robinson and Susan Bailey for making the day a fun day! Our thanks also goes to Kingsford Timber Mitre 10 for their wonderful support.
Bunnings Warehouse Mascot - Spring Launch 28 August 2010
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Bunnings Warehouse Kirrawee - Community Day Saturday 11 July 2009
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Above: Tara Johnson, Phil Gould (NRL), Matt Pacey and Ian Manley
What a great pleasure to be involved with the Community Day held at Bunnings Warehouse Kirrawee on Saturday 11 July 2009.
Visitors came from all around the Shire to enjoy the activities of the day, entertainment and fun as well as presentations and displays from local community groups.
It gave us the opportunity to mingle with the local community and raise awareness of the vital role the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service plays in their community.
Our thanks to Tara Johnson, Matt Pacey and Ian Manley (all volunteer rescue crew) who gave their time and to Bunnings Kirrawee for their support.
Royal Easter Show 9-22 April 2009
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The 2009 Sydney Royal Easter Show proved to be a wonderful success. The event provided us with a great opportunity to engage with the communities we serve.
The Show enabled us to raise awareness of our vital coastal search and rescue work and educate people about water safety.
The young visitors to our stand enjoyed interacting with our volunteer rescue crew - Tara Johnson, Matt Pacey and Daniel Zafir and trying on rescue equipment.
We would like to thank the stand volunteers who graciously gave their time over the busy Easter period. We could not have done it without them!
Thanks also goes to ARC 3D for the amazing stand they designed, as well as Advance Design for supplying the volunteer shirts.
In The Community
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Above: Members of Dee Why Surf Lifesaving Club at the launch of Boardies Day.
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Above Left: CDSE cheque presentation from Peter Hardgrove (Chairman Wests Ashfield Leagues Club) to Tony Wood (Crew Chief Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service Greater Sydney Region)
Above Right: Rita Borg and Tony Wood (Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service), The Hon. Virginia JUDGE, BEd MP and Peter Hardgrove.
Above: Crew Chief Tony Wood and Peter O'Grady (Chairman of Diggers @ The Entrance) at the Club's Yulefest promotional luncheon 23 July 2009. Our thanks to Diggers for their continued support.
Above: Crew Cheif Tony Wood (left) Wollongong Probus Representative (centre) and Rita Borg (Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Community Relations)
Above: Crew Chief Tony Wood (left) and John Davies Director Como Jannali Rotary Club.
Our thanks to the Como Jannali Rotary Club for their donation again this year.
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On Saturday 31 January 2009, the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter landed at Deep Park Oval in Port Hacking as part of the Surf Life Saving Sydney Development Camps for t Under 11 and Under 13 Nippers. The camps are put on to assist in the on-going development of our Nippers into Junior Lifesavers. The weekend covers activities such as rock climbing, abseiling and archery.
The weekend was supported by a range of speakers from the ranks of SLS and beyond, who present the range of opportunities available to people is SLS.
Crew Chief Tony Wood and Volunteer Rescue Crewman Matt Pacey , shown below answering questions and demonstrating winching techniques
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Landing at Deer Park Crew Chief Tony Wood
Volunteer Rescue Crewman Matt Pacey
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The North Bondi Ocean Classic Swim was held on 8 February 2009. The course was approximately 2km, which started and ended back at North Bondi. With around 2250 competitors, the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter was there to "watch over everyone" Stewart Bailey, one of the Service's longtime crewman was also there to referee the event.
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Watching over our swimmers, the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service patrolled over the swimming course for The North Bondi Ocean Classic Swim, The Malabar Beach Ocean Swim and the Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman Series final
Visitors to our Base
Would your school group or community group like to visit our base and meet the crew?
You can arrange to visit the base on weekdays. Our base is operational from 9.00am to 7.00pm during daylight savings (October to April) and from 8.00am to 6.00pm (April to October). Weekend visits can also be arranged.
There is no charge for your visit, however as we no longer receive government funding any donations would be greatly appreciated.
Your support will help keep this vital community service flying.
During your visit you will be given a tour of the base and helicopter. You will be treated to a video presentation showing our early beginnings and where we are heading. You will also have the opportunity to meet our duty crew and ask them any questions you may have.
Don’t forget to bring your camera for a lasting memory!
To organise a visit please call 02 9311 3499 or email info@lifesaver.org.au
Above: Clients from Menai Neighbour Aid Group with Air/Rescue Crewman Stewart Bailey and Trevor Cracknell
Above: Visitors from the Eastern Respite and Recreation Group with Trevor Cracknell (Training Officer) and Dean Erskine (Volunteer Rescue Crewman)
Above: Members of the Willoughby Community Aid group with Tony LeMarseny (Air Crewman) and Matt Pacey (Volunteer Rescue Crewman)
Above: Representatives of Como-Jannali Rotaract with Tony Wood (Crew Chief) and Brett Christensen (Volunteer Rescue Crewman)
Above: Members of the Bradfield Ladies Probus Group with Rescue Crewman John at their recent visit to our base.
Above: Members of the Menai Friendship Group with Chief Pilot Peter Yates, Crewmen Tony LeMarnsey and Clay Allison.
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Tony Wood (Crew Chief) with Woollahra Paddington Scout Group during their visit to our base
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NSW Police Force
Botany Bay Highway Patrol Rose Bay Highway Patrol
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Bill Woods (Energy Australia) presented Peter Yates (Chief Pilot) with a donation cheque on behalf of Energy Australia Height Safety Committee.
(L-R) Matt Pacey (Volunteer Rescue Crewman) Bill Woods (Energy Australia) Captain Peter Yates (Chief Pilot) and Trevor Cracknell (Air-Crewman),
The Energy Australia Height Safety Committee won a $1,000 PeopleSafe award and the Team chose to donate their award to the Service. General Manager Distribution Operations and Reliability John Eisenhuth matched and increased the donation to a total of $3,000.
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Students from Kincoppal Rose Bay School Members of Northside Baptist Church
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Chris Parry - (Chairman-Powercraft Commission) and members of Surf Life Saving Association of Wales dropped in on 24 February 2009 to have a look at our operations and meet the crew. The Association is based in Bridgend South Wales www.slsawales.org
Tony Wood (Crew Chief) and Matt Pacey (Volunteer Rescue Crewman) with members of Surf Life Saving Association of Wales Mike Allen, Kevin Thomas, Rhys Meechan and Gary Bradford.
