Westpac rescue helicopter visit a hit with Swan Valley Anglican School students

Shrieks could be heard across the ground as the pilot and his two crew members waved at the crowd upon landing.

“We’re here today to promote community awareness,” pilot Brendon Cleaver said.

“I’ve been a pilot for 18 years, and flying the rescue helicopter for one, but this is my first day of school visits.

“We’re really enjoying showing the kids the helicopter and being asked questions by them. We’ve had some pretty good ones.”

There are two Westpac helicopters in WA – one based at Fremantle and one at Busselton.

The helicopters patrol beaches in summer from Yanchep to Mandurah and Bunbury to Augusta, as well as responding to inland emergencies such as bushfires, floods and accidents.

Westpac Ellenbrook branch manager Anthony Antonakis was at the school to welcome the Fremantle rescue helicopter crew.

“It’s exciting to be here today,” he said.

“The nationwide rescue helicopter service has been sponsored by Westpac for more than 40 years since its inception.”

Mr Cleaver said that over that time, the service had been involved in more than 70,000 rescue missions across Australia.

“It’s a rescue icon. For kids to see the helicopter and become familiar with what it does is what we want to achieve,” he said.