Robert and Kym Wilson of Wilsons Panel Works in Toowoomba celebrated 40 years in business on 1 July and threw a big party with over 250 people in attendance.
The MC for the night was a local by the name of Keith Edwards, a lifelong friend and customer, who had many stories to tell of their journey, which elicted many laughs from the guests.
As a testament to these Toowoomba locals, and to their generosity and respect within the community, even many of their past employees attended the event.
Over the years Robert and Kym have been involved in community and charity events and none more important than RACQ LifeFlight. Every year LifeFlight’s iconic blue and yellow choppers and several commercial helicopters help thousands of sick and injured patients.
With a Critical Care Doctor on board, RACQ LifeFlight's Rescue helicopters are regularly sent to serious accidents, where early medical intervention can often be the difference between life and death.
On standby round-the-clock, they can be in the air within minutes of being tasked to a mission.
RACQ LifeFlight Rescue operates eight helicopters out of Mount Isa, Bundaberg, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba and Brisbane bases.
Thirty percent of this community rescue service is funded and supported by the LifeFlight Foundation through a range of different and diverse fundraising programs.
As the helicopters must be available 24 hours a day and seven days a week, the engineers require the correct tools on hand for whatever they may require. Until now engineers have been required to use their own hand-tools, so that when maintenance is required the tools are on hand, they use what is called a fly away kit and hope that when they arrive on site they have the right gear.
Car Craft members, Wilsons Panel Works generously donated a specialist tool kit specifically for LifeFlight Helicopter operations and was made up to suit the exact requirements. It can be airfreighted by commercial aircraft to anywhere that it may be needed and will always assist in keeping the LifeFlight helicopters in the air.
The last of the presentations was made by the staff to Robert, it was a gold-plated scanner and a coffee mug, as history tells us that Robert is never ever without his coffee mug, or his beloved scanner, a necessity for tow truck operators back in the day before the police blocked them.
The gold scanner that was presented was in fact Roberts; now defunct unit.
Wilsons Panel works is looking forward to the next chapter in its amazing story.