Historic vehicle fans showed their support for modern life-saving ones this afternoon when the New England Antique Machinery Club donated $300 to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.
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The money was the club’s profit from catering to tractors driving from the coast to the Grey Fergie muster in Bendemeer, back in March.
The 1940s tractors stayed the night at the club’s headquarters in the showground, and club members provided meals for them on the way over and the return.
“We made a lot more than we expected,” club president Rob Taber said, “so we thought we’d like to give it away.”
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The antique machinery club is one of the oldest in the state. It’s been going for 31 years, and holds a working rally every year in November, where members display their machines, some going back to the 1800s.
“There’s a lot of really good charities,” Mr Taber said, “but at the end of the day, the Westpac Helicopter people do such a marvellous job. It’s one thing I hope I never have to use, but it’s really comforting to know it’s there.”
Amanda Frost and Meg Georkas, both WRHS volunteers, were on hand to receive the cheque.
“Every dollar that is raised through all the various volunteer groups out of our region actually goes directly to keeping the chopper in the air,” Ms Georkas said.
The WRHS attends accident sites, treats and transfers patients to hospital, and helps to find missing people. The helicopter, sponsored by the NSW Government and Westpac Banking Corporation, flies nearly 2,000 missions a year.
The WRHS will hold its major fundraising ball in August.