Sunshine Coast families stepped behind the scenes of LifeFlight’s operation on Saturday as the aeromedical service opened the doors of its Sunshine Coast Hangar for a special Family Fun Day.
More than 500 people attended the free community event, which welcomed visitors of all ages to experience the world of aeromedical rescue up close. LifeFlight welcomed visitors into the Sunshine Coast Hangar and LifeFlight Jocelyn Walker Visitor Experience and Education Centre, giving locals the rare chance to get up close to LifeFlight’s helicopters and gain firsthand insight into the lifesaving work LifeFlight crews perform every day.
Amy Agius, LifeFlight’s Sunshine Coast Community Lead, said our Sunshine Coast community has always been incredibly supportive of LifeFlight.
“Our Family Fun Day was a wonderful opportunity to open our doors and say thank you to the Sunshine Coast community for their incredible support of LifeFlight,” Mrs. Agius said.
“The LifeFlight Jocelyn Walker Visitor Experience and Education Centre is a place where we can connect with our community, share our story and provide important education about our services. Bringing this centre to life would not have been possible without the generosity and support of our community, and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has helped make this vision a reality.
“People often see our LifeFlight helicopters in the sky and wonder what happens behind the scenes. The Family Fun Day provided a unique opportunity for our community to learn more about the dedicated medical, aviation and support teams behind LifeFlight, and the critical missions they undertake every day to provide critical care and save lives across Queensland and beyond.”
Families explored the Sunshine Coast LifeFlight Jocelyn Walker Visitor Experience and Education Centre, which is now open to the public seven days a week. At the centre, visitors can step inside a helicopter simulator and embark on their own rescue mission. Inspired by the real technology and processes used by LifeFlight crews, the experience gives visitors a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the world of aeromedical rescue.
Visitors can also look directly into the LifeFlight Sunshine Coast Hangar through a dedicated viewing window, where they can watch LifeFlight helicopters being prepared for flight and engineers carrying out maintenance. And, when a helicopter is called to a lifesaving mission, visitors have the unique opportunity to witness the crew mobilise and see the aircraft prepare for its mission.
Younger visitors can also unleash their creativity by designing and colouring their own helicopter before watching it come to life and soar across the digital screens. Visitors can also learn about First Minutes Matter, LifeFlight’s free emergency trauma training program designed to give community members the skills and confidence to act in the crucial first minutes of a medical emergency before emergency services arrive.
Abi and Zara, Sunshine Coast mums and co-founders of Little Sunny Coast, a platform dedicated to helping families discover kid-friendly experiences across the region, said the LifeFlight Jocelyn Walker Visitor Experience and Education Centre was a standout destination.
“The LifeFlight Visitor Experience and Education Centre is such a great experience for Sunshine Coast families. Our kids absolutely loved getting up close to the helicopters, exploring the interactive displays and learning about what the LifeFlight team actually does in a way they could understand and enjoy,” they said.
“As parents, we walked away with an even bigger appreciation for the incredible work happening right here on the Sunshine Coast. It is really special that local families have a place where they can learn more about LifeFlight, the people behind it and just how important this service is to our community, while having such a fun experience with their kids at the same time.”
The LifeFlight Sunshine Coast Visitor Experience and Education Centre is now open seven days a week from 10am to 3pm. Admission is free for all ages.
