What’s happening?
For many people across Central Queensland, a helicopter overhead means help is on its way.
CapRescue is marking 30 years of lifesaving aeromedical support across a vast and often remote region.
The service responds to emergencies, accidents, and search and rescue missions.
Its work helps connect patients to urgent treatment when delays could be serious.
When Rescue300 takes off, medical and rescue teams are being sent where they are needed.
Missions can begin on remote properties, highways, coastal communities, or other hard-to-reach areas.
Each flight starts with a call for help and a coordinated response.
Behind every mission is a person, a family, and a moment where fast care can matter.
As part of its annual appeal, CapRescue will share patient stories from people helped by the service.
Those stories include Fiona and Bevan Baker, and Summer Hamilton and her father Stan.
Why it matters?
CapRescue provides a critical emergency link for communities spread across Central Queensland.
For patients in remote or regional areas, fast transport can change the outcome.
The service also supports search and rescue missions when people need urgent help.
Its annual appeal helps keep Rescue300 ready for the next call.
“This service relies on the generosity of the Central Queensland community to keep Rescue300 ready to respond,” CapRescue Operations Manager Kirsty Wooler said.
“Donations help ensure the sound overhead continues to bring hope for years to come. Donate today and help send help on its way.”
Local Impact
CapRescue serves a region covering communities from St Lawrence in the north to Agnes Water in the south.
Its reach also extends west to Alpha and east off the Capricorn Coast.
That coverage matters for residents, workers, travellers, and families across Central Queensland.
The service operates in partnership with Queensland Health.
Community support remains a major part of keeping Rescue300 mission-ready.
Local individuals and organisations help fund the service through donations and annual appeal support.
By the numbers
- CapRescue serves more than 300,000 people across more than 350,000 square kilometres, an area about the size of Germany.
- Rescue300 averages 1.4 tasks each day, showing how often the service is called into action.
- The service recorded more than 500 rescues in 2025, with annual operations costing more than $15 million.
Zoom In
Rescue300 operates with AW139 and Bell 412 aircraft.
These aircraft support emergency aeromedical responses across Central Queensland.
The service can respond across large distances and varied conditions.
That includes remote properties, highways, coastal areas, and offshore locations.
Patient stories in the annual appeal will help show the human side of each mission.
Fiona and Bevan Baker, and Summer Hamilton and her father Stan, will share their experiences.
Their stories reflect moments when help came from above.
Zoom Out
CapRescue is part of a wider emergency care network across Queensland.
Queensland Health provides 70 per cent of its funding.
The remaining 30 per cent is raised through the community.
That local funding helps keep Rescue300 ready for future missions.
The appeal is especially important before the end of financial year.
People and organisations in a position to give are being encouraged to donate.
What To Look For Next?
CapRescue’s annual appeal will continue sharing patient stories across Central Queensland.
Those stories will show how fast rescue support can affect families and communities.
As the service marks 30 years in 2026, community donations will remain central to its future.
The goal is clear, keep Rescue300 ready when the next call for help comes.
