Warialda celebrates community-led helipad fundraiser
Date 14 February 2011
Warialda residents can rightly celebrate an impressive community effort, with locals having contributed a total of $24,000 towards the construction of a helipad at Warialda Multi Purpose Service (MPS).
The helipad is now complete, enabling aircraft such as the Westpac Rescue Helicopter to land and take-off from the Warialda health facility.
It took a little over a year for the community of just 1300 people to fundraise for and complete the helipad’s construction.
Initial planning for the helipad was done in conjunction with Westpac Rescue Helicopter representatives, MPS staff and members of the Warialda Local Health Advisory Committee.
Hunter New England Health also consulted with the Medical Retrieval Unit as well as NSW Health’s Aviation Consultant Safety Accredited Auditor, to finalise plans and guidelines for the medical helipad.
Works prior to the helipad’s construction included the removal of trees in the site-line of the chopper, as well as the relocation of a power line and light at the front of the MPS building.
As well as individual community members, the following groups contributed towards the helipad’s costs: Women’s Auxiliary, the Royal Hotel Anglers Club, Gravesend Rodeo Committee, Warialda SES, Warialda Junior Touch, Warialda Junior Basketball, Warialda Rodeo Committee, Warialda Quilting Group, and the Off-Roaders Club.
Some of the funds raised from the sale of personalised MPS courtyard pavers were also donated towards the helipad construction.
Warialda MPS’s Maintenance Officer, Chris McCudden, supervised all of the construction plans and played an integral role in the helipad’s completion, according to Health Service Manager Sharon Baker, who said the ongoing support of both staff and the community during the helipad project has been genuinely appreciated.
“Having a functional helipad on-site means there will be smoother transfers of critically ill patients within shorter timeframes to regional specialist hospitals, which is a positive for everyone in the community,” Sharon said.
“Warialda community members are renowned for their generosity and willingness to lend a hand when it’s needed, and the helipad appeal is no exception to this. We are extremely grateful for all who have donated to this fantastic addition, as it will benefit the whole community well into the future.”
(HNE-2490)
Contact: Carisa Green
Phone: 0428106183