Kevin Hogan (Page, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It was nearly 42 years ago when Elton Cummings came up with the idea and a strong campaign for a swift aerial service to help save lives. It was sparked by the death of a man on a North Coast beach in 1976. From there, the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter was born, and it has come a long way. In the early days, the crew onboard were outfitted with just a first-aid kit, a static rope and a few other essentials. Today the theatre is as good as a doctors' hospital theatre. The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter is on call 24/7 and attends around 2,000 missions each year, whether it is to transport a sick patient or a car crash victim to hospital or for a search and rescue.

A name synonymous with our local helicopter service for the past 23 years has been that of Roger Fry, who is retiring. I thank him and everyone who has been associated with the Westpac rescue helicopter over the last 42 years, from fundraisers like Ken Jolley to the staff and the board. For the lives you have saved and for the people you have helped in our community, thank you.