Gunnedah South Public School children were lucky to have an educational visit from one of Northern NSW’s Westpac Rescue Helicopters on Wednesday.

Children were bursting with excitement when the helicopter peeked above the trees, before getting closer to make its landing on the school’s oval.

The visit was a part of the Westpac school landing program.

It provides children with education about the rescue helicopter’s role in responding to emergencies in Northern NSW.

The children diligently lined up to have their photo taken in the helicopter, not missing the opportunity to speak their burning thoughts to the paramedics, pilots and Westpac Rescue Helicopter staff within earshot.

In the formal section of learning, children asked questions such as “what was the most suspenseful flight you’ve been on,” by Tom Mason, or “how fast does the helicopter go,” by Esther Maher.

A framed photo was presented to the school by the rescue helicopter service as a thank you gift.

Students were asked to bring in a gold coin so the school could tally a donation for the service, presenting it with $589.

WRHS regional partnerships officer New England North West Daniel Gillett said they would not be able to do their job without donations and all of their sponsors.

“We hope the children who encounter the helicopter early in life will have a better understanding of what we do in the community,” he said.

“Hopefully [the educational visit] will be the only time they have to see it.”

There was another motive behind the rescue helicopter service meeting the young community members.

“It is a good opportunity for us to say thank you,” Mr Gillett said.

Gunnedah South Public School principal Nicki Walsh recognised that often children hear the sound of the helicopter or spot it in the sky, but the visit may help them fully understand its “vital role in [the] community”.

“It is a unique experience to see it up close and the Westpac Helicopter has helped so many families in our area,” she said.

“You always know it is there to help someone.

“We are deeply grateful for their lifesaving efforts in emergencies, and [the visit was] a fantastic opportunity to inspire our students and families to support this essential organisation.”

Phil Salvestrin, Robyn Howarth, Sean Maher, Stuart O’Mally, Daniel McCarney, Michael Wood, Wayne Cannon and Max Kavanagh.

Sean Maher, Aubrey Matthews, Ivy Northey, Charlee Childs, Oscar de Groot and Michael Wood. Front, Thomas Beale and Nora Sullivan. Photo: Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service

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