The small but mighty community of Spring Plains certainly knows how to throw a fabulous party, and for a good cause.

On 19 September, the Twilight on the Plains event raised an impressive $120,000 for the vital Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service (WRHS) thanks to the kindness of sponsors, businesses and individuals who donated money, goods, services and time, as well as those who bought event or raffle tickets.

“To those who have attended our functions in the past or to those who are here for the first time, thank you for your support,” said Spring Plains Fundraising Committee chair Angus Moore.

“In attending, buying a raffle ticket, supporting in kind or generously sponsoring the event, you’re contributing to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, which, in this district, we consider to be vital to our community here and beyond.

“Without your generous support, we would not be in a position to raise the funds we have to donate to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service over the years.

“This figure is now in excess of $400,000 since our first event held in 2005. A figure we are very proud of,” he said.

“A big thank you to the Spring Plain Fundraising Committee and all those who have helped put this evening together.

“I feel lucky to be part of such a great committee who have all worked extremely hard and you should all be very proud of the fantastic occasion we will enjoy tonight.

“We have a terrific group of local people who get stuck in and carry out their particular roles without fuss or fanfare.

“The hall has some pretty amazing immediate neighbours, who’ve spent more time here than at home recently, working on the hall’s brand new kitchen and supper rooms.

“Without the hall and the committee we would not be able to hold this event to fundraise for such an important medical retrieval service for our district.”

The farming community’s much-loved hall looked spectacular, decorated to the ‘black-tie and boots’ theme, with cowboy hats swinging from archways, big boots bordering the stage, glittering disco balls, dazzling fairy lights and more.

Josephine’s drinks were flowing as guests enjoyed the catering by Relish.

The appropriately named and newly formed local band ‘Black Tie Boots’ had the crowd moving and shaking, dancing the night away under the stars.

There was plenty to celebrate, including a special milestone, with committee chair Angus Moore asking attendees “to raise a glass to say Happy 100th birthday to the Spring Plains Hall behind you, like you all, the old girl scrubbed up pretty well and she could certainly tell a tale or ten.”

The hall has long been the location for the WRHS fundraiser, as well as other community events, from the popular Christmas Tree gathering and a health and wellbeing workshop, as well as weddings and the Spring Plains Red Cross and races back in the day.

Angus Moore also thanked attendees and the valued sponsors for supporting WRHS, as well as those who chose to contribute to restoring the 100-year-old hall and its ongoing makeover including a 200 club sponsored by Northwest Helicopters. (See thank you advertisement.)

“Thank you to everyone, and to those who have made this evening a great occasion.

“I would like to extend a warm welcome to our representatives from the Westpac rescue helicopter service based in Tamworth, Kim Blanch, the volunteers coordinator and crewman Jamie Yeo and his wife Mandy,” Angus said.

“Thank you for coming and for the service that you provide, and I sincerely hope you enjoy your night on the plains.

“Also, welcome to the newly re-elected Narrabri Shire mayor Darrell Tiemens.”

Angus then introduced the panel, featuring WRHS crewman Jamie Yeo and locals Dale Smith, Charlie Keft and Ben Keft, who have experienced the lifesaving and life-changing impact of the WRHS.

Interviewed by local journalist Ali Smith, the panellists bravely shared their stories to highlight the crucial work of WRHS and why it is important to support the rescue chopper. A further report on the panel and their stories, along with more photos, will feature in next week’s edition.

Abby Jackson and Issy Leitch. Abby Jackson and Issy Leitch.
IMG_8007_15015 Kylie Thomas and John Galagher.
Olivia Bray, Bethany Bray and Heidi Schimann. Olivia Bray, Bethany Bray and Heidi Schimann.
Tim Brooker and Graham Cameron. Tim Brooker and Graham Cameron.
IMG_8028_20240 Tony and Shirley Schwager with Marney and Tim O'Brien.
Angus and Penny Ashby. Angus and Penny Ashby.
Greer Campbell and Ted Kennedy. Greer Campbell and Ted Kennedy.
Eliza Wilson, Strath Sendall, Moses Rewais, Sophie Sendall, Madison Smith, Aaron Malla and Roger Sendall. Eliza Wilson, Strath Sendall, Moses Rewais, Sophie Sendall, Madison Smith, Aaron Malla and Roger Sendall.
IMG_8046_20427 Lorna and Stephen Gleeson.
Ben Keft, WRHS representative Kim Blanch, Trish Keft, Helen and Dale Smith. Ben Keft, WRHS representative Kim Blanch, Trish Keft, Helen and Dale Smith.
Parking coordinator Josh Schwager. Parking coordinator Josh Schwager.
Roxanne Whitton, Sonia and John Fogarty. Roxanne Whitton, Sonia and John Fogarty.
Sally Cain and Sophie O’Neill. Sally Cain and Sophie O’Neill.
Sam and Cody Huff. Sam and Cody Huff.
Cara Stoltenberg, Bianca Egan and Sam Huff. Cara Stoltenberg, Bianca Egan and Sam Huff.
Cara and Luke Stoltenberg. Cara and Luke Stoltenberg.
The committee thanked all the sponsors and contributors, including valued gold sponsors Australian Food and Fibre, Cotton Seed Distributors, Exact Aviation, Louis Dreyfus Company, Namoi, Logistics, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Queensland Cotton, Rabobank, State Wide Sheds and the Keft Family. Pictured: Nick Pierce (Rabobank), Ed Seccombe (AFF), Angus Ashby (Exact Aviation), Brendan Hatton (CSD), Kev Chaplin (LDC), Charlie Keft (Keft family), Trish Keft (Queensland Cotton), Ben Keft (Nutrien Ag Solutions), Mitch Brodigan (Namoi Logistics) and Helen and Dale Smith (Namoi Logistics) and WRHS representative Kim Blanch. The committee thanked all the sponsors and contributors, including valued gold sponsors Australian Food and Fibre, Cotton Seed Distributors, Exact Aviation, Louis Dreyfus Company, Namoi, Logistics, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Queensland Cotton, Rabobank, State Wide Sheds and the Keft Family. Pictured: Nick Pierce (Rabobank), Ed Seccombe (AFF), Angus Ashby (Exact Aviation), Brendan Hatton (CSD), Kev Chaplin (LDC), Charlie Keft (Keft family), Trish Keft (Queensland Cotton), Ben Keft (Nutrien Ag Solutions), Mitch Brodigan (Namoi Logistics) and Helen and Dale Smith (Namoi Logistics) and WRHS representative Kim Blanch.
Eloise Chaplain and Anna Hall. Eloise Chaplain and Anna Hall.
Georgia and Mike Boyle. Georgia and Mike Boyle.
Spring Plains Fundraising Committee members Josh Schwager, Graham Cameron, Ben Watson, Matt Schwager, Mike Boyle, James Hall, Katie Watson, Georgia Boyle, Jono Phelps, Anna Hall, Angus Moore, Kate Schwager, Ali Smith, Ali Wilson, Chris Chaplain, Elosie Chaplain, Tom Wilson, Wendy Phelps, front, WRHS representative support group coordinator Kim Blanch and committee member Tom Cameron. Absent from photo: Maddie Schwager and Wendy Cameron. Spring Plains Fundraising Committee members Josh Schwager, Graham Cameron, Ben Watson, Matt Schwager, Mike Boyle, James Hall, Katie Watson, Georgia Boyle, Jono Phelps, Anna Hall, Angus Moore, Kate Schwager, Ali Smith, Ali Wilson, Chris Chaplain, Elosie Chaplain, Tom Wilson, Wendy Phelps, front, WRHS representative support group coordinator Kim Blanch and committee member Tom Cameron. Absent from photo: Maddie Schwager and Wendy Cameron.
IMG_7983_11567 Mike Boyle, Chris Chaplain and Matt Schwager selling tickets to the 200 club sponsored by Northwest Helicopters.
James Hall and Tom Cameron. James Hall and Tom Cameron.
Graham Cameron and Ben Watson. Graham Cameron and Ben Watson.
Chelsea Humphries and Mackenzie Jones. Chelsea Humphries and Mackenzie Jones.
Katie Watson and Georgia Boyle. Katie Watson and Georgia Boyle.
Dale and Helen Smith. Dale and Helen Smith.
Angus Moore and Ali Smith. Angus Moore and Ali Smith.
Mandy and Jamie Yeo with Kim Blanch, WRHS representatives. Mandy and Jamie Yeo with Kim Blanch, WRHS representatives.
The Spring Plains Fundraising Committee donated $120,000 to the vital Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service at its Twilight on the Plains event, held on 19 September. Pictured at the event, WRHS representative Jamie Yeo; locals Dale Smith, Charlie Keft and Ben Keft, who have experienced the life-saving and life-changing impact of the WRHS; and Spring Plains Fundraising Committee chair Angus Moore. Jamie Yeo, Dale Smith and the Kefts were part of a panel on the night, bravely sharing their stories to highlight the crucial work of the WRHS. The Spring Plains Fundraising Committee donated $120,000 to the vital Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service at its Twilight on the Plains event, held on 19 September. Pictured at the event, WRHS representative Jamie Yeo; locals Dale Smith, Charlie Keft and Ben Keft, who have experienced the life-saving and life-changing impact of the WRHS; and Spring Plains Fundraising Committee chair Angus Moore. Jamie Yeo, Dale Smith and the Kefts were part of a panel on the night, bravely sharing their stories to highlight the crucial work of the WRHS.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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