The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter service began operations in Sydney, Australia in 1973 as a basic beach surveillance and rescue service utilising a Bell 47 helicopter. This was the first dedicated service of its type in Australia and quickly established surveillance and water rescue techniques that were to be later adopted by many other countries.

From these beginnings 40 years ago, the service has gone on to develop advanced rescue techniques for boating, coastal and water environments along with mountainous areas.

The service is one of Australia’s largest non-profit search and rescue aviation services, working closely with Surf Life Saving Australia, Lifeguard Services, Ambulance, Police and Fire Services along with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.

During these 40 years, the service has conducted more than 23,500 missions, all free of charge to those in need of rescue. Operational funding throughout the 40 years has been provided primarily through the generous support of the Westpac Bank, individual and community donations along with government charter.

The Service has been instrumental in the development of search and rescue techniques, and many of these methods are now used on Search and Rescue helicopters around the world. The service’s staff are regularly called upon to train helicopter crews in developing parts of the world. The service provides training locally for helicopter crewman, rescue crewman and techniques in Helicopter Underwater Escape Training.

In 1998, the service undertook search and rescue operations in the now infamous Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. The service was jointly awarded the Captain William J Kossler Award by the American Helicopter Society for its lifesaving role in this most significant maritime tragedy. In 2002, the Service was awarded the Prince Phillip Helicopter Rescue Award “for outstanding courage and excellent teamwork in saving the life of an injured child despite atrocious weather conditions”.

The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopters service’s contribution to helicopter operations over 40 years, particularly in the field of search and rescue, makes it a most worthy recipient of the FAI Honorary Group Diploma for Aeronautics.