We’re for our heroes.
SECOND Lieutenant Ingrid Dylan was concentrating on the helicopter controls, training to graduate as a cadet and flying over Cooyar in pitch black darkness.
Through night vision goggles, a fluorescent green speck grew brighter as she and Captain Gary Hamilton navigated the Kiowa craft in for a closer look at what would soon become clear was a scene of tragedy.
Landing nearby, Lt Dylan and Captain Hamilton, soon joined by a second Australian Army crew, raced to save a man’s life from a fiery crash.
They acted on instinct, running on a desire to do whatever they could to save a total stranger.
They didn’t do it for the awards they would receive, but for the desire to help others.
They’re the people we are for, the ordinary heroes who pitch in without a qualm for themselves.
We’re for our firefighters, the men and women who every day save lives in Toowoomba, the Darling Downs and beyond; who plunge themselves into the murky depths of a deadly inland tsunami to save perfect strangers, rescue residents from burning buildings, and tirelessly battle raging infernos. Our police heroes whose bonds of mateship and courage under fire inspired a whole nation to rally in support when one of their own was killed (Constable Brett Forte) in the line of duty.
The LifeFlight pilots like Roger Woods whose rapid actions on a day off saved a stranger’s life after an early morning crash scene.
We’re for our amazing medicos like Dr Lanziz Homar, the Madagascan surgeon who found a new home in the Garden City which sparked a desire to change the fate of his home country.
From Toowoomba to the world’s 10th poorest country, the St Vincent’s Private Hospital surgeon collected more than $500,000 worth of equipment and is saving lives in Madagascar, one key-hole surgery at a time.
We’re for him, his team, his supporters and his success.
We’re for the hope that unites us in our community halls in the face of disaster. We’re for you.