Bell 206B Jetranger VH-COW
The first aircraft to ever land at the top of Mt Perry, Qld. (S25 11 36 E151 41 13 689.9M ASL) 04 May 2000.
After an extended period of overcast and rainy weather the solar power supply for the Queensland Ambulance Service repeater station atop the mountain failed.
As this station forms an important linking point for Ambulance communications to the North Burnett area, it fell to my lot to have it functioning again as soon as possible. The normal 4-wheel drive track from the Mt Perry township to the mountain top had been washed out! What now?
With help from the Qld Police Service and the Perry Shire Council we rode a D9 bulldozer up the mountain to effect temporary repairs. As an afterthought, we had the D9 driver level a spot, which could be used as a future heli-pad, while he was on top of the mountain.
Four days later the repeater failed again! This time we solicited the help of the Sunshine Coast Helicopter Rescue Service and their aircraft, stationed at Bundaberg, was made available to us.
Several ferry trips between the Mt Perry township and the mountain top were necessary to transport four technicians and their equipment, to permit permanent repairs to the repeater station.
Photo supplied by Mike Adams, Co-ordinator, Communications Development, Qld Ambulance Service, Radio & Electronics Section.