Ladies and gentlemen,

I’m thrilled to join you here today at Snowy Hydro Southcare to participate in your campaign to raise public awareness about the vital community service you provide to communities in the ACT and southeastern NSW.

It is human nature to believe that it will never happen to us. But accidents occur; people become critically ill in a matter of minutes, and suddenly a crisis is unfolding before our eyes.

In 2009 I was inducted as Chief Ambassador of the Snowy Hydro Southcare Helicopter Service – a great compliment.

At the time I received a thorough briefing about the Rescue Helicopter.

I learnt about the special equipment this impressive machine has:

A super strength winching cable to hoist patients from places the helicopter cannot access.

The critical infrared thermal imaging device that enables the crew to locate people simply by detecting their body warmth.

The specially designed light, Nitesun, which is 30 million times stronger than candlepower light, and enables crews to find accident sites from the air, at night or in bad weather.

And those life saving Wire Cutters, fitted on the top and bottom of the helicopter, that can cut through powerlines or cables in the helicopter’s path.

The images of all of these devices came back to me in December that year as Michael and I watched the Snowy Hydro SouthCare helicopter navigate a major rescue mission.

My friends, you will all recall the tragic accident at East Lynne, South of Ulladulla, that claimed the lives of a father and his two daughters.

The grief was palpable; eased only by the enormous sense of pride this community shared for the Snowy Hydro SouthCare Rescue Helicopter crew who were on duty that terrible day.

I concur with Mr David Marshall’s comments.

And I would like to add that the brave and highly skilled medics and paramedics who carry out these rescue missions are indeed our heroes.

While lives were lost that day, people were also saved.

In a medical emergency there is a window of time called “The Golden Hour”.

These are the moments after an accident, where swift medical attention increases the chances of survival.

When the petrol tanker collided with four vehicles and a massive fire ensued, the Snowy Hydro SouthCare helicopter landed in a paddock nearby and provided critical medical support to the victims.

Today, ladies and gentlemen, we recognise highly skilled individuals including Intensive Care Paramedic, Ben Lynch and Dr Andrew Singer, who both displayed enormous courage on that day.

This afternoon we celebrate the contribution of Snowy Hydro SouthCare, established back in 1998 as the primary provider of aero-medical and rescue helicopter services to people in the ACT and southeastern NSW.

The Service has completed over 4,000 missions through partnerships with the ACT and NSW Ambulance Services, The Canberra Hospital, and CHC Helicopters Australia.

I warmly congratulate medical and other professionals who are receiving awards today.

You are our heroes and I salute you.