Mackay Airport
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Rescue chopper to benefit from barra pond

The Mackay Port Authority is backing a community appeal to raise vital funds for the CQ Rescue Helicopter Service.

CQ Rescue will now join the Royal Flying Doctor Service in counting the proceeds fished from the barramundi pond at Mackay Airport.

Mackay Airport acting general manager Ray Waters and CQ Rescue Helicopter Service chairman John Bird display the new barometer that will record the flow of donations fished from the barra pond at the city's airport.!

The pond has netted the RFDS a cool $4000 over the past 12 months.

Communications manager Colin Wilson said many people owed their life to the dedicated team at CQ Rescue.

“But rescue helicopters don’t come cheaply,” he said.” The service costs 2.3 million dollars to keep in the air each year.”

CQ Rescue receives about $900 000 in funding from the State Government – the remaining $1.4 million is made up of community and corporate sponsorship and donations.

Chairman of the CQ Rescue Helicopter Service John Bird said the MPA had been a strong supporter of the service since its inception in 1996.

“Mackay Port Authority workers have given generously through payroll deductions and annual donations for many years now,” he said.

“This backing and the support of a wide cross section of industries in the region are very much appreciated.

“It’s so true – every little bit counts and each year the community digs that bit deeper to fund this important service.”

Mr Bird said CQ Rescue would soon take delivery of a twin-engine helicopter formerly operated by the Victorian Police Service.

It will replace the single-engine Bell 407 aircraft that plummeted into the sea off Cape Hillsborough in October last year, killing all three on board.

The incident is currently being investigated by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

Meantime, Mr Wilson said a sign thanking travellers for their donations had been erected in the pond area at the airport.

“It has a barometer so people can see their donations slowly building” he said.

“Children get a kick out of tossing a few coins into the pond and making a ‘wish’.

“It’s not a wishing well – but the good wishes of these important life saving charities certainly goes with everyone who makes a donation.

“When people see where the money is now going I’m certain they’ll give generously.”

Mr Wilson said the introduction of low-cost carrier Jetstar into Mackay in May was expected to boost passenger throughput at Mackay Airport to more than 500 000 over the next 12 months.

“It would be fantastic if we could fish $10 000 out of the pond in this time,” he said.