John Gibbs posted on May 19, 2011 16:04
On 10 May, we transferred our meeting to share the venue at Aroma’s on Tenth at Austral with Inner Wheel Club of combined Liverpool President Julia Calcopietro, the girls, their partners and guests to enjoy the atmosphere of a first rate restaurant and here a presentation from Rita Borg & Tony Woods of the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Services. The night was organised by Past President of Inner Wheel Barbara Houghton and together with Past President of Liverpool West Peter Houghton. Treasury reports, reveal that the $35.00 pp we paid matched the cost of the 2 course meal. The Inner Wheel club looked after all formalities such as collections, paying for guests, purchasing a meat Tray to the value of $50.00, donating raffle prizes and running the raffle for net proceeds of $50.00, prior to donating 10 times that amount. President Peter Beadle of the Rotary Club of Liverpool West donated $15,000.00, matching the amount our Club donated on Sunday 15 November 2009 as prominently displayed on the website at: www.lifesaver.org.au
Funds from the Rotary Club of Liverpool West were raised as a result of the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Services being one of three sponsored causes of our Charity Golf Day held annually in October and as a result of funds raised from our Annual Children’s Circus Extravaganza held annually in April.
For more than 35 years the service has been saving lives and delivering vital services to our community. The service is a not- for-profit operation with no Government funding and depends entirely on sponsorships and donations to remain flying.
Costs include $3,850.00 per hour flying time, $10,000.00 to train a volunteer rescue crew member, $3,500.00 for a flight helmet, $5,000.00 for a 50,000 service and up to $25,000 for a 300 hour service, $5,000.00 to replace a winch cable and $60,000.00 for a winch overhaul.
The Service has plans to fly 24/7 and will purchase a set of night goggles at $13,500.00 with the proceeds donated by the rotary Club of Liverpool West and the Inner Wheel Club of Combined Liverpool.
Our thanks then to all involved for what was a very enjoyable night.