Our History
We’ve come a long way, but we still need your help.
As a essential rescue Service, we’ve come a way since we were a one-helicopter operation. We’re now a modern Service, equipped with up-to-date facilities, and we’re saving more people than ever.
In the beginning - November 1979, the Sunshine Cost Helicopter Rescue Service had one helicopter flying from a base at the Big Cow on the Bruce Highway. Through their hard work and the generosity of locals, the late Des Scanlan, along with other likeminded locals established the rescue service as the service in south-east Queensland.
Timeline.
- 1979 Sunshine Coast Helicopter Rescue Service Limited founded in Yandina with one helicopter. This is the first community-based service of its kind in south-east Queensland
- 1983 The Service relocates from Yandina to Maroochydore Airport
- 1989 A Queensland government grant allows the purchase of a second helicopter
- 1997 Donations enable the purchase of a third helicopter, which broadens the range of rescue operations provided
- 1998 A second hangar is established in Bundaberg
- 2006 The Maroochydore operation relocates to a purpose-built, state-of-the-art hangar at Maroochydore Airport
- 2009 AGL Energy Ltd (AGL), Australia’s largest integrated renewable energy company, became our new naming sponsor.
Our future.
This is a new era for the Service and the AGL Action Rescue team are delighted AGL has come on board to help the Service to continue to provide professional, safe and free aeromedical services for the community.
The sponsorship provided by AGL Energy Ltd has secured the ongoing operations of the rescue Service which undertakes critical rescue, medical and search missions throughout south east Queensland
Without the generosity of the community however, our Service would never have got off the ground. Today, we still desperately need community support to continue our vital operations on the Sunshine Coast. If you don’t already, please donate by clicking here