www.rescuehelicopter.com.au

COMMUNITY UPDATE

THE SINGLETON COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTES $60,000 IN 2012

The Community’s Own The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service is a community-owned and operated aeromedical search and rescue service, serving the Hunter-Central Coast-Mid North Coast-New England and North West regions since 1975 Each year the Rescue Helicopter attends more than 1400 missions to people in need and not one of these assisted by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service is required to pay for that service. This is due to the generosity of their fellow citizens and community through donations, sponsorships and support.

Contact us Jayne Eather (Local Chairperson)

M: 0431 877 286

E: gjeather@bigpond.net.au

WRHS.SINGLETONSUPPORTGROUP

The Singleton Volunteer Support Group has once again had an extremely successful 12 months, raising a record $60,000 for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service. The $60,000 raised holds great significance, as it is the third consecutive year that the amount of funds raised has exceeded previous years. ($31,000 in 2010 and $50,000 in 2011). This clearly demonstrates that the Singleton Community is now more aware of the existence of the local support group and the need to support the vital lifesaving work of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service. Throughout 2012, the Singleton volunteers have work tirelessly in the local community coordinating fundraising activities. Each activity has been a great success in terms of the dollars raised, as well as increasing the profile of the community's own Rescue Helicopter Service. Throughout the year, the local support group has also been the fortunate recipient of several sizeable donations from individuals, local businesses and fellow community groups, which has provided a considerable boost. Singleton Volunteer Support Group Chairperson, Jayne Eather said "the continued and unwavering support shown by the Singleton community towards our group's fundraising efforts has been truly overwhelming”. "It is humbling to know that us volunteers are making a difference and ensuring that the Rescue Helicopters are available for the ill and injured when they’re required, but importantly, that those people who do require assistance, do not have to pay for the use of the Rescue Helicopter Service". Mrs Eather added. The local volunteers are looking forward to another successful year in 2013 and hope to have new volunteers join this diverse group. Monthly meetings are held on the 1st Tuesday of each month at Club Singleton from 7pm.

ISSUE 1 - 2013

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Friday Night Raffles For the past 3 years the Imperial Hotel has hosted the local support

group each Friday night for the now popular Meat & Veg Raffles. As

of December 2012, $58,857 has been raised since February 2010

This result could not be possible without the support of our monthly

sponsors, which include: Entire Concrete, Micar Western Diesel,

Induspray Australia Pty Ltd, Cor Cooling, Gore Electrical & Data,

Smith Smash Repairs, Sutton Auto Group, Singleton Radiator

Service, Entire Concrete, Cole Air Services, Hunter Valley

Hydraulink, Micar Western Diesel, Mallaby Sheetmetal, E.A.M.S Pty

Ltd, Tony Mexon & Associates, The Imperial Hotel, M&C McNamara

Fruit & Veg and Thomas Tender Meats

Friday Night Raffles will recommence

on February 1st and then every

Friday at the Imperial Hotel. Tickets

are on sale from 5pm and drawn

from 7pm.

See back page for sponsors.

We need your help? Volunteering provides a very important foundation for the Service's community support base. Volunteers range in age, experience and skill and it provides a way for individuals, couples and families to make a con-tribution to the Service. If you are able to spare a few hours a month, then please call the local Singleton Volunteer Support Group on 0431 877 286.

Our Contract Has Been Extended The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service recently received confirmation that the NSW Department of Health has extended the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service's contract for the provision of aeromedical services in the Hunter, Central Coast, Mid North Coast, New England and North West regions of the state until May 2014, with an option to extend for another three years. Service General Manager, Richard Jones, said that while the Service operated specifically with the Hunter, New England and North West and Central and Mid North Coasts it was very conscious that it was an integral part of a wider system operated by the NSW Government. “Our primary concern is for the ill and injured people who need the fastest possible access to medical care and it is our proud declaration that no-one who needs the help of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service ever has to pay,” Mr Jones added.

Local Donations

Throughout 2012 the Singleton Support Group has been the fortunate recipient of several sizeable donations from individuals, local businesses and fellow community groups throughout the year We would like to publicly thank the following community groups for their support:

Singleton Op Shop ($9,000)

Singleton Classic Motorcycle Club ($500)

Singleton Partners of Veterans Support

Group ($500)

Are you liking us on Facebook? Follow your local support group on Facebook. We regularly post mission updates, images, videos, upcoming events and happenings. “WRHS.SINGLETONSUPPORTGROUP”

Mission Report — Sept/Oct/Nov Our work in the community extends from the Hunter, Central Coast

and Mid North Coast regions to the

New England and North West region.

In the past three months, the Service

has been called out to more than 58

primary/motor vehicle accidents, 67

secondary/inter hospital transfers

and 2 search and rescue missions.

www.rescuehelicopter.com.au

Snapshots

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1. Bunnings Warehouse — Singleton Grand Opening BBQ

2. Volunteers Jayne & Kellie wrapping gifts at Big W Singleton.

3. Volunteer Rita with one very large present she wrapped at Big W Singleton.

4. Volunteers Courtney, Brad & Jayne at the Cor Cooling Charity Golf Day.

5. Volunteers Jayne, Grahame & Kellie at the Upper Hunter Motorfest & Fair

6. Volunteers Karen & Brad off to do a sandwich run at the Cor Cooling Golf Day.

7. Singleton Classic Motorcycle Club presenting a $500 donation.

8. Singleton Partners of Veterans Support Group presenting a $500 donation.

9. Gresford Rodeo Committee President, Mick Keely, being presented a framed certificate for the support of the rodeo towards WRHS during the past 14 years.

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Friday Night Raffle Sponsors

Would you like to become a sponsor? We are always seeking sponsors for our weekly Friday Night Raffles. We offer a number of benefits for those local businesses that take out sponsorship. If you would be interested in finding out more please contact Jayne (0431 877 286 or gjeather@bigpond.net.au).

M & C McNamara

Fruit & Veg

(Fruit & Veg Supplier)

Thank you to The Reject Shop Throughout 2012, the Singleton Support Group has been fortunate to call on the support of The Reject Shop. We say a big thank you to Store Manager, Courtney Crisp and her team for assisting us with our fundraising efforts.

RESCUE Magazine The Summer 2012/13 issue is out now and is available from the local support group as well as online at www.rescuehelicopter.com.au This magazine is produced for the community four times a year. It includes information about the activities and events associated with the Service, its sponsors, its volunteers, those who contribute through donations and the wider community.

Published January 2013. The Singleton Volunteer Support Group is authorised to raise funds on behalf of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service (Hunter Region SLSA Helicopter Service Ltd.)This publication is produced by the local support group to inform the Singleton community of the recent activities and events undertaken.

Thank you to Big W — Singleton In the lead up to Christmas, Big W– Singleton kindly allowed the local Singleton Support Group to setup a Christmas Gift Wrapping stall at the front of their store. It was a huge success, with many customers choosing to have their gifts wrapped for a donation. Thank you to all of the Big W management and staff for their assistance.

Thomas Tender Meats

(Meat Tray Supplier)