Father Tom Stephen blesses one of the two Lagaw Kuyup Rescue Service helicopters during a service on Waiben (Thursday Island) on 25 June. Photo: Babcock Australasia.
A special ceremony was held on Waiben (Thursday Island) on 25 June to bless two emergency medical service helicopters tasked with servicing the northernmost part of Cape York and the Torres Strait.
Adorned with instantly recognisable “dragonfly” livery, the Leonardo AW139 helicopters form the centrepiece of the Lagaw Kuyup Rescue Service, which recently commenced operation through the joint endeavour of Babcock Australasia and Queensland Health to service the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area.
The first of the helicopters was unveiled in Cairns in August 2024, and since entering service earlier this year, the pair has collectively flown 128 missions totalling more than 200 flight hours.
The blessing at Thursday Island Hospital brought together local community leaders, Indigenous elders, religious figures, health representatives and members of Babcock Australasia’s aviation team to formally celebrate the arrival of the aircraft and honour the region’s rich cultural heritage.
Led by Father Tom Stephen, the blessing aimed to invoke a shared appeal for guidance, protection and good fortune for the aircraft, its crews and the people it carries.
On 26 June, one of the helicopters flew world-renowned Torres Strait artist Alick Tipoti – who created the stunning livery on the aircraft – to his home of Badu Island, where he presented it to the local community.
Babcock Australasia managing director aviation and critical services Duncan Milne said the blessing “reinforces community unity and the sense of shared purpose among everyone who works on this service”.
“Our new helicopter service is not just about providing advanced aeromedical support – it’s a promise to be there when it matters most,” he said.
“We are immensely proud of our partnership with Queensland Health, and we remain dedicated to building a long-lasting relationship with the island communities of the Torres Strait and ensuring quality emergency care is never out of reach.”
Retrieval Services Queensland executive director Dr Mark Elcock said the helicopters were the result of a shared ambition to ensure remote patients had access to the latest aeromedical capabilities.
“It was a celebration of achievement, connection, culture and community,” he said.
“This investment in the Lagaw Kuyup Rescue Service reaffirms Queensland Health’s commitment to supporting the health care of communities in this unique part of Queensland.”
