BY ASHLEY GEELAN
On Saturday, January 18, a historic moment was commemorated at Peninsula Aero Club with the unveiling of a restored Bell 206 helicopter.
The Bell 206A JetRanger helicopter is a replica of the iconic ‘Angel of Mercy’ that marked the birth of the world’s first civilian helicopter ambulance service.
Hosted by the Peninsula Aero Club and supported by Ambulance Victoria and EastLink, the event was a fitting tribute to the visionaries who revolutionised emergency medical care in Victoria.
The Angel of Mercy began operations in 1970, symbolising a groundbreaking step in pre-hospital care.
Today, Ambulance Victoria continues to honour this legacy with cutting-edge aeromedical technology and an unwavering commitment to saving lives.
HEMS2, one of Ambulance Victoria’s modern, state-of-the-art helicopters touched down at Tyabb Airport just after the unveiling ceremony.
The contrast between the old and the new underscored the incredible advancements made in air ambulance services over the past five decades.
Ambulance Victoria Director of Complex Care Andrew Keenan spoke about the significance of the event and the ongoing impact of the Angel of Mercy:
“The Angel of Mercy was not just a helicopter; it was a symbol of innovation, saving lives, and transforming emergency medical care in Victoria,” said Andrew.
“Today, Ambulance Victoria honours its legacy with cutting-edge technology and an unwavering commitment to delivering world-class aeromedical services.
“The introduction of services like the Angel of Mercy was pivotal in shaping our modern fleet, which now responds to thousands of critical care requests across Victoria every year.”
The Angel of Mercy’s service was born out of necessity. In the 1970s, long and difficult road transport from the Mornington Peninsula to Melbourne posed significant risks to patients.
A former pilot of the Angel of Mercy, Bob Turner also reflected on his first medivac flight.
“The weather was poor and I had some difficulty in getting over the hills to the south of Frankston finally following the road at low level in mist and low cloud and eventually landing on the golf course behind the hospital.
“With the patient on board I took off and flew coastal and then to the Alfred Hospital landing in the park across the road to the amusement of the commuters walking across the park to work. After 5 minutes a team from the hospital appeared crossing the road with a stretcher trolley and loaded the patient before heading back to the hospital with great speed,” Mr Turner said.
The visionary work of Peninsula Aero Club members, Dr. Tom Ready and Bill Vowell addressed these challenges by pioneering the first civilian helicopter ambulance service.
The service’s impact was felt far beyond the local area, inspiring similar initiatives globally.
Family members of Dr. Ready and Mr. Vowell, as well as former pilots, paramedics and even patients, were present to share their personal stories, offering a unique insight into the service’s history and impact.
Ambulance Victoria’s current air ambulance fleet includes six AW139 helicopters and four King Air fixed-wing aircraft, providing statewide 24/7 coverage.
With an operating range of up to 650 kilometres, Ambulance Victoria’s helicopters respond to nearly 2,000 requests each year, bringing critical care to those in remote or inaccessible locations.
As Andrew explained, “Ambulance Victoria operates the longest-serving aeromedical helicopter service in Australia and one of the longest in the world.
“We remain committed to delivering rapid, life-saving care across Victoria, just as the Angel of Mercy did when it first took flight more than 50 years ago.”
The unveiling of the Angel of Mercy marks more than just a celebration of the past; it’s a reminder of how far air ambulance services have come – and how far they will continue to go.
As Ambulance Victoria builds on its pioneering legacy, it remains dedicated to providing exceptional care and advancing medical transport to save lives across the state.
The event was a fitting tribute to the dedicated individuals who shaped the future of air ambulance services, and it reaffirmed Ambulance Victoria’s ongoing commitment to innovation, compassion, and excellence in emergency care.
“It was a pretty good outcome for the first medivac flight of the Angel of Mercy and the first of many trips that would save numerous lives over the years,” Mr Turner said.
