Volunteers from 11 of the 16 Westpac Rescue Helicopter Support Groups in the area attended a workshop in Bingara recently. The purpose of the two day workshop was to inform members of government regulations for not-for profit-organisations, and update members on plans for the service.
Richard Jones, CEO of Hunter New England Westpac Rescue Helicopter, and Phil Williams, Business Manager, arrived by helicopter and were met at Gwydir Oval by those attending the workshop.
The trip doubled as a training run for Chief pilot, Ian McFarlane, using night vision goggles. These goggles will be used in ‘black hole’ areas such as Bingara, Warialda, Wee Waa and Walgett, which do not have landing lights.
Westpac Rescue volunteers came from Inverell, Warialda, Bingara, Gunnedah, Wee Waa, Walcha, Nundle, Tamworth, Uralla, Narrabri and Coonbarabran for the workshop, held at the Imperial Hotel.
