Twilight on the Plains: community set to raise money for vital WRHS

The Spring Plains Fundraising Committee will host its biennial event on 19 September to raise funds for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.

The Twilight on the Plains event is set to be a fabulous evening under the stars at the community’s much-loved hall, with catering by Relish, drinks by Josephine’s and sensational live music by Collins Class to dance the night away.

The cocktail party will kick off at 5pm, with black tie and boots the dress code for the night.

Committee chair Angus Moore encouraged people to grab their mates and their tickets, with both Wee Waa and Narrabri bus transfers an option.

“It’s going to be a smashing night,” said Angus. “We’d love to see you there.

“Tickets are all online, ready to buy, and it’s for a great occasion – supporting the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

“The WRHS chopper is vital for our region, supporting anyone who has an accident or illness, and it can get them to superior medical help really, really quickly.

“Thank you to everyone who has supported or continues to support the fundraiser – our generous sponsors, people who’ve already bought tickets or raffle tickets – thank you.”

The majority of funds will go to the WRHS, with a small portion going towards the hall trust to assist with the restoration of the 100-year-old Spring Plains Hall, so the location can continue to be the heart of the farming community.

The hall has long been the location for the WRHS fundraiser as well as other community events, from the popular Christmas Tree gathering to a health and wellbeing workshop, even a wedding party and races back in the day.

Over the years, the Spring Plains Fundraising Committee has rallied more than $300,000 for the WRHS, reflecting the generosity of our community and its strong support for this invaluable service.

The committee headed to the Wee Waa Show recently to ask locals why the WRHS was important to them, in a video posted on the Spring Plains Ball Instagram page.

“The Westpac Rescue Helicopter is an integral, necessary service out here. If we didn’t have the chopper, I quite possibly wouldn’t have my Dad anymore,” answered Lisa Almagro.

“He was flown out when he had a cardiac arrest and, yeah – saved his life.”

Cathy Evans agreed: “The Westpac Rescue Helicopter is an essential service for us here in the bush.

“Recently, my cousin was transferred to Royal North Shore after a life-changing semi-trailer roll-over just outside of Narrabri. Without that service, his situation would have been very different.”

“To save lives, quickly,” answered Kate Schwager.

“I’ve always been comforted by the fact that it’s 22 minutes for the chopper to get to Spring Plains Hall.”

“We’re in a rural community with a lot of high-risk jobs, especially in our industry, where we live, there are lots of farmers, so high risk of accidents,” said Matt Schwager.

“So, I think it’s quite important that we’ve got access to it.”

“Without the chopper, I think there would be a lot of sticky situations out here,” said Davo Boyle.

“The chopper is very important to us,” said Georgia Boyle. “Obviously being remote, we don’t have ambulances and doctors and everything readily available.”

“It gives us access to so many essential services … if you’re having a heart attack or a stroke or you’ve had a serious snakebite or a life-threatening injury, it is so important,” said Narrabri Shire mayor Darrell Tiemens.

“I think the Westpac helicopter is so important because we need it out here in the bush. If someone gets hurt, it saves lives,” said Kate Dixon.

“I have seen it at different horse events where there have been people, very good friends of ours, seriously hurt. And you hear that helicopter come, and you think, yeah, that’s a pretty good sound.”

When asked to describe the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service in just one word, the response from locals was overwhelmingly positive, with words such as vital, essential, miraculous, heroic, invaluable, amazing, brilliant and lifesaving.

The outpouring of praise reflects just how deeply appreciated and valued the service is by people across the region.

“I don’t really know how to explain it in one word, but I just feel that it’s an imperative service that rural Australia needs. We all know of someone who has needed the service, if you haven’t needed it yourself,” added Martin Haire.

Tickets to Twilight on the Plains are at trybooking.com/events/landing/1600175