The new community liaison officer for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service is looking forward to the challenge of increasing awareness of the well-known organisation on the Mid-North Coast.
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Wauchope's Richard McGovern started his new role in early August.
While acknowledging the role would be challenging, Mr McGovern said he has clear goals in mind.
"I am here to maintain and build a strong base of volunteers, to promote fundraising initiatives and to increase the reach of our groups within the communities of Kempsey-Macleay and Nambucca shire," he said.
"This role is about raising the awareness of the Rescue helicopter service and just what it provides to our area.
"Supporting the service can be achieved in a number of ways including payroll deductions or donations, purchasing merchandise, or donating some time through one of the four established volunteer groups.
"We currently have community fundraising organisations in Bulahdelah, Taree, Forster and the Hastings. And I will certainly be reaching to the communities of the Kempsey-Macleay and Nambucca Heads-Macksvilles areas in the very near future."
This role is about raising the awareness of the helicopter service and just what it provides to our area.
- Richard McGovern
Mr McGovern praised the efforts of the existing groups and their hard-working membership who provide a presence in their respective communities .
He said the efforts of these fundraising groups was part of the reason why the service has never charged anyone that has needed to use the rescue helicopter.
"And the helicopter service flies to the Mid-North Coast three or four times a week," he added.
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service operates from three bases - Lismore, Newcastle and Tamworth.
Mr McGovern said the established weekly housie fundraising initiative would continue. These are held at Club Taree at 11am on Wednesdays; Panthers Port Macquarie at 10am on Mondays and Wednesdays and 11.30am on Fridays, Tuncurry Beach Bowling Club at 6.30pm on Tuesdays and 11am on Thursdays and Wauchope RSL Club at 10.45am each Wednesday.
For more information on the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, to join a volunteer group or to help establish a presence in the Kempsey-Macleay or Nambucca-Macksville areas contact Richard McGovern on email richard.mcgovern@rescuehelicopter.com.au