When Woolongbar TAFE students spent 12 months carefully restoring a 1986 VL Commodore to its former glory, it was all for love and to raise money for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.

The VL Commodore with teachers Kirk Trease Head Teacher, Evan Coleman and Andy Stevens - with Westpac Rescue Helicopter representative John Bancroft.



The car had been donated 12 years ago and nearly 90 students practiced and developed their restoration skills on the car as part of their apprenticeship - with the help of their mechanical, panel and paint teachers.

This has built a sense of contribution and pride among the young tradespeople as they they demonstrated their technical ability. It's also an honour for them to be restoring a Holden brand car which is no longer in production.

The vehicle has also been repainted in its original ‘Waltons Blue’ 1B-107, which was a limited edition fleet colour, reserved only for a Waltons department store vehicles.

When the vehicle was donated, the original owner asked that the vehicle be auctioned when completed and profits used to support the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.

It is hoped the vehicle will raise over $30,000 when it goes to auction.

The project is on track to be finished in early 2022 where it is anticipated that it will be shown at local car shows and attract potential buyers from across Australia.

Representatives from TAFE and Rescue Helicopter hope that this initial teaser unveiling will develop further interest as the students continue to complete the upholstery and final trimmings on the restoration.

To find out more, contact the TAFE NSW Wollongbar campus automotive department.