Agricultural Programs
"Just a Little Grain"
In December 2008, Joe Marshall and his family from Burren Junction made a donation of 22 tonnes of grain to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service. Joe was just 8 years of age and had fallen off his motorbike in May that year. He was transported to Westmead Hospital in Sydney suffering 2 broken legs. After 10 days in Hospital Joe returned home, spending the next 4 months in a wheelchair. Joe is now fully recovered. The donation of grain was later auctioned, providing much needed funds for this vital community service.
"Tag a calf"
For more than 10 years, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service as performed over 2000 missions in the New England and North West region. Many of these have been to accidents on farms and properties as well as transporting patients that are accutley ill from rural hospitals to tertiary care in Tamworth, Newcastle or Sydney. For some time the farming community asked "how can we assist the Service, as a group or as individuals?".
In 2008, Volunteers from the Bingara Support Group tagged the first calf, A Charolais appropriatly named "Westpac". The calf was generously donated by Robert and Judy Northcott (H. Roy Miller Stock and Station Agent), with proceeds on sale donated to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service. Owner Anne Legg, quoted as saying the program was "a novel and easy way to support a service vital to the community".
To find out how you can support one of our Agricultural Programs call 6764 9400 or freecall 1800 155 155. Alternatively, download an information brochure on the link below.