22nd, March, 2024

In a partnership spanning 30 years, Ampol Australia has extended its support of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service for a further five years.

The long-standing association between the two iconic Australian organisations will see Ampol continue to provide the Jet A-1 aviation fuel that powers the service’s fleet of state-of-the-art AW139 helicopters, which require 360 litres of aviation fuel every hour to fly and keep the communities across northern NSW safe.

As part of Ampol’s longest-standing partnership, the organisation contributes $600,000 of fuels in-kind each year, supports a range of fundraising events through the provision of AmpolCash and auction items, and provides a pathway for its people to donate directly to the service as part of its employee charitable giving program – Fuelling Change.

In 2023, Ampol fuels powered the service to respond to 1,552 missions across northern NSW – 620 from its Belmont base, 481 from the Tamworth base and 451 from its Lismore base.

Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service Chief Executive Officer, Steven Underwood said the service is humbled to be part of Ampol’s longest running community partnership.

“We are extremely grateful for Ampol’s support of our operations across northern NSW,” Mr Underwood said.

“Ensuring our aircraft are prepared to swiftly respond 24/7 is essential for saving lives in communities across northern NSW, and central to this readiness is a dependable provider of high-quality aviation fuels at our Belmont, Tamworth, and Lismore bases.

“We conduct more than 1,500 missions each year across search and rescue, pre-hospital emergencies and inter-hospital transfers, and this vital service would not be possible without the ongoing support of Ampol and our other corporate partners.”

Ampol Managing Director and CEO, Matt Halliday said it is impossible to calculate any return on investment for the support provided considering the number of lives saved across a community of around 1.5 million people each year.

“For more than 30 years, Ampol has supported the essential 24/7 work of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, and we’re proud to be renewing our longest-standing community partnership for another five years,” Mr Halliday said.

“Ensuring the safety and well-being of the communities in which we operate is a fundamental principle that drives the efforts of the Ampol Foundation.

“Our partnership with the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service allows us to play a meaningful role in helping to safeguard the welfare of the communities of northern NSW, where we have deep and longstanding connections as a result of our considerable workforces and fuel supply assets in the region.”