Service is a 'gift' to region
If the saying ‘the greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members’, then Clermont is one amazing place.
Letty Slattery is a Clermont local of 51 years and is well-known in the small Bowen Basin town for her volunteering efforts and as unofficial face of RACQ CQ Rescue.
Letty knows first-hand how her neighbours and their community would “be absolutely lost” without the vital care and service delivered by the Central Queensland rescue chopper.
The sprightly 81-year-old retiree spends three to four days a week collecting, counting and depositing the proceeds of CQ Rescue donation boxes, selling merchandise and cakes at local markets, as well as organizing and selling raffle tickets to help raise funds to keep the community-funded helicopter flying and delivering lifesaving care to rural and remote townships.
Since she began volunteering, Letty has collected and helped raise more than $30,000 for RACQ CQ Rescue.
Letty said she first realized the importance of the aeromedical service back in 2012 when she started treatment for breast cancer and required regular chemotherapy and radiation. Since then, she’s also broken her ankle in a fall and suffered a stroke, all of which have seen her be a patient aboard the Mackay-based chopper.
“I’ve had about four flights on the chopper now – it’s a very appreciated service out here in this community, so I decided that I really had to do something to try and help,” she said.
“To travel in by car or ambulance when you are so unwell is horrific. The chopper service makes a big difference to people who are sick or injured out here.”
Letty, who has 17 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren – said her family were very proud of her volunteering work.
“I started work at age 12 and only retired at 79-and-a-half,” Letty said. “I just like to keep busy.”
In a town of just 3000 people, Letty is often found collecting the donation boxes from Clermont businesses like the golf club, IGA, Cornetts, Penny’s Coffee Shop, the Commercial hotel and local pharmacy.
“I get a great deal of satisfaction in fundraising for CQ Rescue. I just love it – it also gets me out of the house and talking to people. It keeps me busy and active,” Letty said.
“It really is my pleasure to do it.”
Letty also co-ordinates raffles at Easter, Christmas and for Mother’s and Father’s Day to raise funds for CQ Rescue – she donates a lot of the prize contents herself including her own sewing masterpieces such as embroidered towels. Her recent Easter raffle raised $1100 for the community-funded service.
“People out here are happy to buy tickets in my raffles for CQ Rescue – they don’t mind buying $20 worth to show their support. They know me and know what I do and why – they know I’m raising funds for the chopper,” she said.
“They all appreciate their vital work and just really want to support the chopper and crew.”
While it’s certainly true that Clermont residents realise they would be lost without CQ Rescue; the reality is, we’d all be lost without people like Letty.