New base set to save lives

LifeFlight welcomes $4 million funding

EVERY minute can count in a medical emergency and the turnaround for LifeFlight crews is set to be quicker than ever with the construction of a new aeromedical base in Toowoomba.

Minister for Regional Development Fiona Nash was in Toowoomba yesterday to announce more than $2 million in funding, matched by Toowoomba businessman and philanthropist Clive Berghofer, to build the new centre at the LifeFlight base in McDougall Rd.

LifeFlight Australia chairman Rob Borbidge was on hand to offer his deepest gratitude for the investment, which he said would lead to more lives being saved across the region.

As media representatives and community members gathered for the announcement in the existing LifeFlight hangar, flight crews headed out on the 607th lifesaving mission for the year.

It was a timely reminder of the vital importance the base to the region.

“This will be I think number 608, no 607 missions flown in the last 12 months out of this base at a cost of some $7 million,” Mr Borbidge said.

“But the important part is that LifeFlight is playing a very pivotal role right through rural and regional Queensland and providing an essential service, as we saw this morning.”

He said Member for Groom, Dr John McVeigh was pivotal in securing the funds.

Clive Berghofer was the man of the moment at the announcement and laughed that he’d been pestered for weeks to match the grant funding and eventually gave in.

He said he’d been on board with the service since day one and was proud to be a part of it.

“Let’s hope that the flight that just went out was not a serious one,” he said.

“I’ve had lots of people say you know, you’ve saved my life because of what has happened.

“So anyhow, all the best and it’s another great asset for Toowoomba.”

❝ LifeFlight is playing a very pivotal role right through rural and regional Queensland

— Rob Borbidge