The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service Tenterfield Volunteer Support Group has presented the Service with an incredible contribution of $150,000, taking the total amount of monies raised since 2015 to nearly $700,000. 

The funds were raised in 2024 through an annual gala dinner, an annual golf day, and various other events and raffles held regularly during the year. 

Tenterfield has a population of just over 6,500 people, which further highlights the significance of this incredible contribution. 

Outgoing support group President, John Landers, thanked the community for their support, including Michael Townes and the Tenterfield Golf Club for their support of the groups golf day, and the Tenterfield Bowling Club who assist the group year-round, especially with their gala dinner. 

Whilst John has stepped away from the President’s role at the group’s recent Annual General Meeting, he will continue his active support for the Service as a volunteer with the group.

This latest contribution by the group will ‘stay local’ and go towards the Service’s Lismore base operations and its response in the New England region. 

Today, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service operates in partnership with NSW Ambulance and NSW Health, to deliver the highest standard of aeromedical and rescue services to those in need across a state-wide network.

A NSW Ambulance critical care paramedic and NSW Health doctor are on board each AW139 aircraft to provide the highest quality critical care where it is needed most.

About the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service: 

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service was established in 1975 and operates five (AW139) helicopters from three forward operating bases in Belmont, Tamworth, and Lismore. The service supports NSW Ambulance and NSW Health to deliver aeromedical pre-hospital support, search and rescue and inter-hospital transfers in our community from north of the Hawkesbury River through to the Queensland border and throughout the New England North West.

Along with the pilot and aircrew officer, every pre-hospital mission launches with a dedicated NSW Health critical care doctor and a NSW Ambulance critical care paramedic. For inter-hospital transfers the team may also be complemented by dedicated NSW Health specialist nursing professionals, depending on the needs of the patient. 

The NSW Government, through the NSW Ministry of Health and NSW Ambulance, Westpac Bank, sponsors, business partners and the community, collectively provide the funds to ensure that the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service can deliver world-class aeromedical emergency support services to the communities of Northern NSW.