AT 7am on Tuesday, aircrew officer Graham Nickisson will step out of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter for the final time, bringing to an end 38 years of service in the air.
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For the 54-year-old, it will be an emotional end surrounded by family, close friends, old workmates and the current crew members he considers “like family”.
He made the decision to step away earlier this year, suggesting his "bucket was full" after such a lengthy amount of time in the air.
Mr Nickisson has amassed an amazing 7100 flying hours and controlled 2639 winching operations in his role as the pilot’s left-hand man.
His experience and knowledge is without peer in the service, and he is considered the longest serving aircrew officer in Australia.
”‘Nicko’ has always gone above and beyond and this has made him one of the most loved characters in our service. Through his compassion and courage he’s become woven in to the fabric of our community,” Richard Jones, the service’s chief executive said.
Mr Nickisson has been at the front line of the service since its early years. He has seen the toughest days of its operation, and was there for the transition from seasonal surf rescue helicopter to an around-the-clock professional emergency service.
“I started in '81 as a trainee crewman. It was a surf rescue helicopter then. And in '82 with the inception of the paramedics, that's when the service really kicked off,” he said ahead of his final shift.
“I had a love of aviation, I loved the idea of helicopters. My only regret is I didn't become a pilot, but this was the next best thing to do that and I thought maybe there might be a career in this.”
For eight years, Mr Nickisson volunteered with the surf rescue service on weekends, building up his skills and love of the aviation role.
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He worked as a crew chief for 26 years until 2010, and helped build the culture of the service and its interaction with the community. “He loves the service, is passionate about the service, and it sort of has been and still is, his life – apart from his family and friends,” 30-year colleague Peter Cook said.
Nickisson can recall many memorable rescues, but he cites two as the most rewarding. In January 1987, he was involved in the transfer of a sick baby girl, Danielle MacDonald, from Scone to the Mater Hospital in Newcastle.
Years after he ran into the family and met Danielle, by then a “beautiful grown up girl”. They maintained a close bond and three years ago Mr Nickisson walked her down the aisle at her wedding – 26 years after the rescue.
Mr Nickisson will be retained by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service in a promotional role.