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Darren Bobin, a Senior Base Air Crewman with BMA CQ Rescue with Mayor Ry Collins
The Mayor’s Charity Ball, themed ‘Whispers Of The West’ is set raise vital funds for BMA CQ Rescue come July - a service that provides medical evacuations in hard-to-reach corners of the region, from out on the islands to rural inland locations.
“CQ Rescue is an incredibly important service in our community.” Mayor Ry Collins said.
“We've supported them over many years through the Mayor's Charity Ball, and really it's in recognition of the work that they do in our community.
“They make more emergency flights into the Whitsundays than any other location, and that's not just benefiting one area.
“We see them go out to the islands, we see them go out to our rural communities, supporting our resources sector. So I think it's incredibly important that we use opportunities like the charity ball to give back to them and make sure that they can continue to operateand keep our people safe.”
Tickets are now on sale for the Mayors’ Charity Ball which will raise money for BMA CQ Rescue through a glamourous evening at Proserpine Entertainment Centre on July 25th.
The theme of the event is Whisper of the West, bringing classic, western style and sophistication to a night of fundraising and building connecting within the community.
“The Mayor's Ball will be a fantastic night of entertainment, great food, and spectacle this year.” Mayor Ry Collins said.
“Our theme is Whispers of the West. We've seen Kevin Costner himself in the region over recent months- I was really inspired by series like Yellowstone.”
The recipient of the funds raised at the ball will be BMA CQ Rescue, who operate across the region to perform rescues on land and at sea.
Darren Bobin, a Senior Base Air Crewman with BMA CQ Rescue said that the organisation was thrilled to be a recipient of the fundraiser.
“It’s fantastic.” He said.
“Any support helps, because it's a great cause, it is a great service.”
Darren shared that the helicopters service the Whitsunday Region extensively.
“Obviously, we come to Proserpine Hospital, we go to Bowen… We go to all the islands. It stems from local transfers to winter rescues out on the water, to primaries on Hamilton Island or Hayman Island - pretty much any island that we can go to and perform a task to bring that injured person back to proper care.”
Their rescues out on the water often feature marine envenomation, salt water aspiration, and snorkelling injuries – but, Darren said, every rescue’s different.
“Recently, we have picked up a young teenager off Hook Island who had a marine sting.” Darren recounted.
“It was late in the afternoon, going into night, so that was a little bit tricky... They had to get to the beach, and then we had to winch down our medical crew, who had to bring [the teenager] back to the helicopter, and we brought them back to the hospital.”
This story stands as just one example of how the service makes medical intervention possible for injured and unwell individuals out on the islands, or in rural inlands, where services cannot usually go.
Businesses interested in sponsoring the event are encouraged to reach out via mayorscharityball@wrc.qld.gov.au.
“We've had tremendous support already come through, but if there's anyone that would like to contribute to a fantastic community cause, we'd love to hear from them.” Mayor Ry Collins said.
“We also recently announced tickets to the event. I'd encourage everyone to get in and get your tickets early, because every year I've been here, it's sold out pretty quickly. I really encourage everyone to get involved.”
Tickets for the mayor’s ball are available online; scan the QR Code to get yours. Please make QR: https://www.whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au/Community-and-Environment/Our-Community/Events/Mayors-Charity-Ball-2026
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