Mackay Airport
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Pond proceeds helps rescue chopper service

Two thousand dollars fished out of the barramundi pond “wishing well” at Mackay Airport is helping the CQ Rescue Helicopter Service save lives in the Mackay district.

Proceeds from the pond are shared by CQ Rescue and the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Mackay Port Authority CEO Greg Mann (left) and CQ Rescue Helicopter Service general manager Phillip Dowler inspect the new purpose-built medical response trolley.

CQ Rescue has used the money to buy a purpose-built medical trolley that’s provisioned with a variety of equipment and medical supplies needed in medivac and trauma cases, such a road accidents and stinger attacks.

Mackay Port Authority chief executive officer Greg Mann said the $2000 donation was made possible by the generous support of travellers at Mackay Airport and follows on the heels of more than $2000 recently donated to the tsunami appeal.

“People enjoy tossing a few coins into the pond and making a ‘wish’,” he said. “It just goes to show that every little bit counts.”

Helicopter rescue’s general manager Peter Dowler said the medical trolley enabled the service to have the necessary trauma equipment at its finger-tips.

“In this business the quicker you can get to the scene of an accident the better chance you have to save lives,” Mr Dowler said.

“This trolley is provisioned 24 hours a day and the equipment is ready to go at a moment’s notice.”

Mr Dowler said the rescue helicopter service cost the Mackay community $2.5 million a year to operate. The State Government contributes $900 000.

“The rest of the money comes from donations – in particular weekly contributions from more than 4000 workers in the district,” he said.

Mackay Port Authority workers have contributed almost $10 000 to the rescue helicopter service since August, 1997 through weekly payroll donations.