Northern Region Rescue Helicopter History

The Rescue Helicopter Service commenced in the Northern Region of NSW at Ballina in December 1982. This was the fifth Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) service established in Australia .

The initial aircraft was a Hillier piston-engine helicopter. Compared to today's helicopter (the Dauphin), the Hillier is like an early model Volkswagen up against the latest Turbo Porsche. The dedication and perseverance of those few who believed in, and supported the concept of a rescue helicopter paid off when the service became permanent in Lismore in 1983. The aircraft was a Bell 206B Jetranger on lease.

This arrangement was financed by public support and a local management committee under the Chairmanship of Mr Wal Gillam, assisted by the resources of Northern Star Holdings. St Vincents Hospital Lismore provided office space and a suitable helipad. Operations were terminated in September 1984 and no aircraft was available until the SLSA took full control of the service providing another Bell Jetranger in the same year.

Because the previous Management Committee had disbanded, there was no active fundraising until a fundraising committee, chaired by Alderman Harold R. Fredericks, was established in August 1985. The Service was extremely fortunate to receive substantial cash sponsorship from Northern Co-Operative Meat Company and Casino Hide Traders. This led to the renaming of the service as the North Coast Cassino-CHT Helicopter Rescue Service. This sponsorship was launched in September 1986 and these companies remain as sponsors today.

The base moved to Lismore Airport on a trial basis in December 1986. In September 1990 a Bell Longranger was brought into the service to replace the smaller Jetranger. Construction of our current base and administration facilities in Brunswick St, Lismore commenced in late 1989 and was occupied in mid 1990. Subsequently the service received assistance from Radio 900 2LM, NRTV, Northern Rivers Electricity and Northern Cooperative Ltd.

The twin-engine Aerospatiale Dauphin helicopter came on line in July 1991, heralding a new era in aero-medical service to the community and the capabilities of the service increased markedly in all areas.

In July 1991, the service was renamed Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter after Westpac Banking Corporation became the principal sponsor.

With the prudent purchase of a second identical aircraft in May 1996, the service moved into a new dimension by being able to provide a 24-hour aero medical service, every day of the year.

The proud record of service by the Northern Region Westpac Life Saver Helicopter has been strengthened by the involvement of the Department of Health, the New South Wales Ambulance Service, Surf Life Saving Australia and other agencies involved in rescue and emergency work in our community.

Much credit must go to the people in our region through their generous financial support. In addition, credit must go to our staff for their professionalism and commitment in the areas of maintenance, operations, administration, fundraising and management.

Over a period of 20 years the rescue helicopter service has grown from early fragile beginnings into a state of the art, highly trained and professional organisation. The organisation takes pride in being able to serve the people of the Northern Region of NSW, Australia .