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Latest: Since 1975, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service has responded to countless emergencies across Northern NSW. In January 1990, Laurie Perry, CEO of Wonnarua Nation Aboriginal Corporation and former Rugby League player, was crushed in an underground coal mine collapse. During

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Jan 20

Around 2pm, on Sunday 19 January, the Westpac #RescueHelicopter was tasked by #NSWAmbulance on an urgent inter-hospital transfer from #Grafton Hospital to #Lismore Hospital. A man in his 60s, suffering a serious medical condition, was stabilised by hospital staff and the NSW Ambulance critical care paramedic and a NSW Health doctor from the helicopter’s critical care medical team before being airlifted to Lismore.

Around 2pm, on Sunday 19 January, the Westpac #RescueHelicopter was tasked by #NSWAmbulance on an urgent inter-hospital transfer from #Grafton Hospital to #Lismore Hospital. A man in his 60s, suffering a serious medical condition, was stabilised by hospital staff and the NSW Ambulance critical care paramedic and a NSW Health doctor from the helicopter’s critical care medical team before being airlifted to Lismore. ...

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Jan 19

Around 11:30pm, on Saturday 18 January, a Westpac #RescueHelicopter was tasked by #NSWAmbulance to a motor vehicle accident at #Scone. A man in his 70s, the sole occupant of the vehicle which had left the road and rolled, trapping him for some time, was treated on scene for spinal injuries by NSW Ambulance paramedics. He was then transported by road to Scone Airport to meet the helicopter’s critical care medical team, where he was further treated and stabilised before being airlifted to Royal North Shore Hospital.

Around 11:30pm, on Saturday 18 January, a Westpac #RescueHelicopter was tasked by #NSWAmbulance to a motor vehicle accident at #Scone. A man in his 70s, the sole occupant of the vehicle which had left the road and rolled, trapping him for some time, was treated on scene for spinal injuries by NSW Ambulance paramedics. He was then transported by road to Scone Airport to meet the helicopter’s critical care medical team, where he was further treated and stabilised before being airlifted to Royal North Shore Hospital. ...

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Jan 19

Since 1975, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service has responded to countless emergencies across Northern NSW. In January 1990, Laurie Perry, CEO of Wonnarua Nation Aboriginal Corporation and former Rugby League player, was crushed in an underground coal mine collapse.

During the rescue he sustained four broken ribs, a punctured lung and severe damage to his leg. Laurie was dug out by his workmates and when he was brought to the surface, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter was on scene to assist.

“I was given a quick hit of morphine and they straightened my leg, strapped me up, put me in the chopper and off I went to Newcastle… the helicopter saved my life.”

In 2025, the Service celebrates a significant milestone, 50 years of providing rescue helicopter services to communities within Northern NSW.

Every Sunday night we will be sharing a moment from our history; past patient stories, our partners, feats of Engineering, iconic rescues, continuous improvement, and the impact of our community.

Thank you Laurie, for allowing us to share your story again as part of our 50th year of operation.

Since 1975, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service has responded to countless emergencies across Northern NSW. In January 1990, Laurie Perry, CEO of Wonnarua Nation Aboriginal Corporation and former Rugby League player, was crushed in an underground coal mine collapse.

During the rescue he sustained four broken ribs, a punctured lung and severe damage to his leg. Laurie was dug out by his workmates and when he was brought to the surface, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter was on scene to assist.

“I was given a quick hit of morphine and they straightened my leg, strapped me up, put me in the chopper and off I went to Newcastle… the helicopter saved my life.”

In 2025, the Service celebrates a significant milestone, 50 years of providing rescue helicopter services to communities within Northern NSW.

Every Sunday night we will be sharing a moment from our history; past patient stories, our partners, feats of Engineering, iconic rescues, continuous improvement, and the impact of our community.

Thank you Laurie, for allowing us to share your story again as part of our 50th year of operation. ...

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Jan 13

About 3.00pm, Monday 13 January, a Westpac #RescueHelicopter was tasked by #NSWAmbulance to a MVA south of #Taree. A man in his 80s and a woman in her 60s sustained injuries in the single vehicle accident. The patients were treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being transported by ambulance to Taree Airport to rendezvous with the helicopter. The helicopter’s critical care medical team took over treatment and both patients were airlifted to John Hunter Hospital.

About 3.00pm, Monday 13 January, a Westpac #RescueHelicopter was tasked by #NSWAmbulance to a MVA south of #Taree. A man in his 80s and a woman in her 60s sustained injuries in the single vehicle accident. The patients were treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being transported by ambulance to Taree Airport to rendezvous with the helicopter. The helicopter’s critical care medical team took over treatment and both patients were airlifted to John Hunter Hospital. ...

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Jan 12

On 7 December 1975, with a $15,000 sponsorship and a Bell 47 helicopter, the Newcastle branch of Surf Lifesaving and the Wales Rescue Helicopter Service launched from Merewether Beach. A celebration that was marked with speeches, the popping of champagne corks, and a very timely first ever rescue for the now Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.

The seeds of what would become the Service would be sown four years earlier in December 1971, when delegates from Newcastle, Sydney and Central Coast Surf Lifesaving branches were sent to the South Pacific Lifeguard Training School in New Zealand.

Read the full story now via link in bio.

On 7 December 1975, with a $15,000 sponsorship and a Bell 47 helicopter, the Newcastle branch of Surf Lifesaving and the Wales Rescue Helicopter Service launched from Merewether Beach. A celebration that was marked with speeches, the popping of champagne corks, and a very timely first ever rescue for the now Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.

The seeds of what would become the Service would be sown four years earlier in December 1971, when delegates from Newcastle, Sydney and Central Coast Surf Lifesaving branches were sent to the South Pacific Lifeguard Training School in New Zealand.

Read the full story now via link in bio. ...

316 2

Jan 12

About 1am, Friday 10 January, a Westpac #RescueHelicopter was tasked by #NSWAmbulance to a single vehicle accident at #NelsonsPlains, west of #RaymondTerrace. A man in his 20s was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics and the helicopter’s critical care medical team for multiple serious injuries before being transported by road to John Hunter Hospital. NSW Ambulance paramedics also treated a woman in her late teens for minor injuries before transporting her by road to John Hunter Hospital.

About 1am, Friday 10 January, a Westpac #RescueHelicopter was tasked by #NSWAmbulance to a single vehicle accident at #NelsonsPlains, west of #RaymondTerrace. A man in his 20s was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics and the helicopter’s critical care medical team for multiple serious injuries before being transported by road to John Hunter Hospital. NSW Ambulance paramedics also treated a woman in her late teens for minor injuries before transporting her by road to John Hunter Hospital. ...

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Jan 8

Around 7:30pm, on Monday 6 January, the Westpac #RescueHelicopter was tasked by #NSWAmbulance on an urgent inter-hospital transfer from #Inverell Hospital to John Hunter Hospital. A woman in her 50s, suffering a serious medical condition, was stabilised by hospital staff and the NSW Ambulance critical care paramedic and a NSW Health doctor from the helicopter’s critical care medical team before being airlifted to #Newcastle.

Around 7:30pm, on Monday 6 January, the Westpac #RescueHelicopter was tasked by #NSWAmbulance on an urgent inter-hospital transfer from #Inverell Hospital to John Hunter Hospital. A woman in her 50s, suffering a serious medical condition, was stabilised by hospital staff and the NSW Ambulance critical care paramedic and a NSW Health doctor from the helicopter’s critical care medical team before being airlifted to #Newcastle. ...

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Jan 7

Around 8:30am, on Monday 6 January, a Westpac #RescueHelicopter was tasked by #NSWAmbulance to a person injured in a fall from a motorbike on a rural property at #Congewai southwest of #Cessnock. A man in his 80s was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics and the helicopter’s critical care medical team for multiple injuries before being airlifted to John Hunter Hospital.

Around 8:30am, on Monday 6 January, a Westpac #RescueHelicopter was tasked by #NSWAmbulance to a person injured in a fall from a motorbike on a rural property at #Congewai southwest of #Cessnock. A man in his 80s was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics and the helicopter’s critical care medical team for multiple injuries before being airlifted to John Hunter Hospital. ...

185 0

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Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service is the trading name used by Northern NSW Helicopter Rescue Service Limited. Australian Business Number (ABN) 40 002 862 026, Australian Company Number (ACN) 002 862 026. Registered Charity with the Australian Charities and Not for Profit Commission. Public Benevolent Institution and endorsed as a deductible gift recipient (DGR). New South Wales Charitable Fundraising Authority Number (CFN) 11992.