The Darling Downs’ night-of-nights – the annual Toowoomba LifeFlight gala – raised more than $2 million towards the vital aeromedical service on Saturday night.
More than $1.8 million raised will go towards the new LifeFlight Visitor Experience and Education Centre in Toowoomba, including a surprise $1 million donation from LifeFlight supporter and philanthropist Clive Berghofer AM.
The centre is set to become a place where people can get a behind-the-scenes look at LifeFlight’s operation in Toowoomba and gain lifesaving skills through the First Minutes Matter workshops.
As part of further fundraising efforts for the centre, LifeFlight chair Jim Elder announced the first ‘Pave the Way’ campaign where supporters can purchase a personalised engraved paver to be laid at the entrance.
More than 650 guests packed into The Goods Shed Toowoomba for a night of fine wine, dining, dancing, auctions and raffles.
Buderim resident Ursula Dodds won the 18ct ring named ‘the nightingale’ in honour of LifeFlight patient Zach Nightingale. It was valued at $15,201 in the Hogans Family Jewellers Balloon Pop, which raised $45,000.
Gala guests heard an inspirational story from Zach who said he had never heard of LifeFlight before they saved his life.
LifeFlight airlifted Zach as a 21-year-old seven years ago after a motorcycle accident.
Zach shared some of the highs and lows from his 100-day hospital recovery and multiple surgeries with the gala audience.
The event, presented by Followmont Transport, comes as LifeFlight prepares to celebrate two decades operating in the Darling Downs next year.
Toowoomba was LifeFlight’s busiest regional base in 2024, airlifting 905 people over the 12-month period including 42 following motor vehicle crashes and eight search and rescues.
Many of these missions involved animals, including a teenager trampled by a horse during a polocrosse match; Kasey Leadbetter, who was bitten by an eastern brown snake while she was sleeping; and a man thrown from a horse while chasing a steer.
Regional Advisory Committee Chair Emily O’Sullivan hailed it as another successful community-powered soiree.
“Our supporter base in the Darling Downs is famous for their passionate backing of LifeFlight, because they know how important the service is to a resilient healthcare network, especially in country areas,” Ms O’Sullivan said.
“We believe the new LifeFlight Visitor Experience and Education Centre in Toowoomba will become an exciting space that will equip people with the knowledge and skills to help when the worst happens as well as educate the next generation.
“Nights like these are the result of a year of hard work by our gala committee, the support of our fantastic partners and sponsors, and of course the many generous locals who dig deep to ensure we have the best aeromedical service possible.”
Items auctioned included a $10,000 shopping spree at Harvey Norman Toowoomba in the major raffle.
The gin raffle by Excavation Equipment and Helicopters Australia proved popular with one fortunate attendee going home with a high-flying luxury long lunch worth $8000.
The auction menu even extended to snags, with Highfields Gourmet Meats and PBS Specialty Coatings offering the chance for punters to design their own sausage to be sold in store. An antique set of butcher scales were also won.
There was also a four-night luxury yacht charter auctioned on the night worth $50,000 and donated by Great Southern Marine.
Supporters who wish to donate towards the ‘Pave the Way’ campaign can visit Pave The Way – LifeFlight.
Lifeflight would like to thank the following supporters and sponsors:
Presenting Partner: Followmont Transport.
Entertainment Partner: iOR.
Platinum Sponsors: G&K Lawson Constructions, Savanna Energy Services, National Transport Insurance, Pickles Mining, Morpheus Energy Services, SubZero Airconditioning Installation & Services, MPC Kinetic, Shine Lawyers, Davidson & Sullivan Solicitors, E&E Waste.
Major Prize sponsors: Black Truck and AG, Barham Chiropractic, Hogans Family Jewellers, Harvey Norman.
Silver Sponsors: WOTSO, Jen Taylor Properties.
Print Partners: Greenridge Group.
Graphic Design Partner: Kingfisher.
Media Partners: The Toowoomba Chronicle, Bishop, SCA
