Back to: Rescue services

In 2008, the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service for Greater Sydney Region celebrates its 35th birthday. Westpac has also renewed its commitment to a new three year contract – ensuring the sustainability of the service until at least 2011.

Westpac's partnership with this vital community service spans three decades and highlights our long-term commitment to supporting rescue services around Australia

While the Westpac Rescue Helicopter is no longer tasked as an aero-medical service, it continues to provide a vital community service of coastal surveillance and rescue operations.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter will be watching over Sydney during summer weekends and busy holiday periods providing a fast and free service to the community. Working with police and other rescue services, the Helicopter will conduct search and rescue operations as required and help keep Sydney's beaches safe by spotting sharks and supporting the work of surf lifesavers and lifeguards on the beach.

Based at La Perouse in the Botany Bay National Park, the Westpac Helicopter has fast access to the coastal waters and cliffs providing the most responsive service to the community of Greater Sydney. It has the ability to reach either the Royal National Park or Sydney Harbour within six minutes.