Orica and Rescue Helicopter join forces

Orica and Rescue Helicopter join forces

Mining support company Orica has formalised a partnership with the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service to become one of the Service’s major supporters.

The company has been a strong supporter of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service for many years, with Orica staff in the Hunter participating in the ‘Dare to Share’ payroll giving program. This support is now being matched dollar for dollar by Orica along with backing for many of the Service’s events and fundraising activities.

Orica General Manager Mining Services Australia Pacific, Adrian Mason, said the partnership is a natural fit for the company.

“Orica has operations at numerous sites throughout the Hunter Valley and northern New South Wales, from Newcastle to Gunnedah,” Adrian said.

“While we already invest significantly in the local Newcastle community, we think it’s important to also support a service that is relevant to all the communities in which we operate.”

“Orica is proud to partner with the Westpac Rescue Helicopter to help ensure such a vital service can continue its life-saving work.”

Service General Manager, Richard Jones, said that ongoing support was needed to ensure future operations would be provided every day of the year.

“No one ever pays to be assisted by the service, but its value is priceless,” Richard said. “We are here to support our community and continue to need its help in return.”

Richard said the service is proud to have won a new 10-year contract to provide aeromedical services to all of northern NSW.

“We beat all-comers plus three international organisations,” he said. “Our budget is about $15 million, but the government only pays 45 per cent and we have to raise the rest. That is why workplaces and a little bit from a lot of people really adds up and allows us to roll the business forward. We need support to continue this vital service.”

Each year, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service undertakes more than 1200 missions across the Hunter, Central Coast, Mid North Coast, New England and North West regions.

Image | Service General Manager Richard Jones, General Manager Kooragang Site Scott Reid, General Manager Mining Services Australia Pacific Adrian Mason and Service Chairman Cliff Marsh OAM.

Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service

Since 1975 the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service has grown from a part-time voluntary summer beach patrol to world-class aeromedical search and rescue operation.

No one has ever paid to be assisted by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service. That is because their fellow citizens and the NSW Government through NSW Health and the Ambulance Service of NSW provide the funds that ensure the rescue helicopters are there when and where they are needed.

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