The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service has celebrated 40 years of saving lives.
After beginning as a weekend beach patrol, the operation has grown into a 24-hour a day dedicated emergency service that has seen more than 30,000 missions throughout the Hunter, Central Coast, Mid North Coast, New England and North West.
The service held a luncheon in the Newcastle suburb of Merewether today to mark the milestone, with Victoria Cross recipient Mark Donaldson the guest speaker.