August 23, 2012
Recently appointed AGL Action Rescue Helicopter CEO David Donaldson visited Kingaroy and Murgon today to thank fundraisers for the organisation and to collect a sponsorship cheque from the South Burnett Regional Council.
In Murgon, Mr Donaldson – who is a former Chief Pilot with the service – met with representatives from the CRISIS fundraising group, and in Kingaroy he enjoyed afternoon tea with Kingaroy Quota Club members who have been holding functions and raffles in support of the service.
He also visited the Council Chambers in Glendon Street to collect a cheque for $8798.05 from Deputy Mayor Keith Campbell and Council’s Acting Chief Executive Officer Stan Taylor.
Each year, the South Burnett Regional Council collects a $2 levy from all South Burnett ratepayers via their rates notices to assist the rescue helicopter organisations that service our region: the AGL Action Rescue Helicopter and Careflight.
“We are a not-for-profit community-based rescue organisation and the contribution from the South Burnett Region assists in attending to rescues,” Mr Donaldson said.
Cr Campbell said unfortunately we see the rescue helicopters come into the region on a frequent basis.
“The support provided by our community is saving lives in our region,” he said.
During the last financial year, the AGL Action Rescue Helicopter conducted 93 missions to the South Burnett:
- 20 per cent were in response to motor vehicle accidents
- 9 per cent were in response to primary accidents, with the majority being farming-related incidents
- 67 per cent were transferring seriously ill or injured patients to specialist care in larger metropolitan hospitals
- Total flying hours were 177 at a cost of $796,500.
With State Government funding covering about 60 per cent of the cost, there was a shortfall of $318,600 which the services try to raise from the South Burnett community.
Caption for attached photo
