Latest Mackay Airport News

Barra Pond donation boost RFDS fundraising efforts

Originally published on 19th May 2006

Donations fished from Mackay Airport's barra pond are providing the Royal Flying Doctor Service with a timely lift during its annual fundraising drive.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service is attempting to raise more than $50 000 as part of Flying Doctor Week.
 
Member for Mackay and Primary Industries Minister Tim Mulherin today presented a $5000 cheque on behalf of the Mackay Port Authority to Spirit of Queensland award entrant Sandra Brown.

Sandra is Mackay’s entrant in the Royal Flying Doctor Service awards.

Money raised during the awards will assist with the replacement of aging aircraft and updating vital lifesaving medical equipment.

Mr Mulherin said the $5239 cheque handed to Royal Flying Doctor Service was a tribute to the generosity of Mackay's travelling public.

An appeal at the airport also recently raised more than $4000 for the victim’s of Tropical Cyclone Larry that flattened Innisfail and surrounding districts in March.

Mr Mulherin said the RFDS played an important role in helping people that required critical care in the wake of the devastating cyclone.

The RFDS provided aero-medical transportation to more than 30 patients in the aftermath of the cyclone and medically assisted 70 000 Queenslanders last year.

Mr Mulherin said the ‘barra pond’ had raised thousands of dollars for a number of charities since 1991.

"It is amazing that this water feature at the airport has provided so much money for charity over the years," he said.

"People – especially children – enjoy tossing a few coins in a making a wish."

Money netted from the pond currently assists the Royal Flying Doctor Service and CQ Resq,