BEERWAH resident Neil Halpin launched his book, ‘Glass House Mountains Rescue 1965 – 2015: The Story’ on Saturday, June 4.
Neil said the launch was a humbling experience as family, friends, past and present State Emergency Service members attended, including Helicopter Rescue Service pioneers Jim Campbell (pilot) and Hayden Kenny (crewman).
John Cotter, past director of Queensland Emergency Service and retired SES leader Graeme Cheal introduced the book.
Neil described the book as a ‘story’, a snapshot of some of the rescues performed across the mountains over the decades.
The afternoon concluded with book signings and the photographic capture of those present who featured – and still feature – in the ever happenings of rescues from the Glass House Mountains.
During proceedings, reference was made to the importance of volunteers as one of the greatest strengths of a community. The SES organisation is one that has an important role to play in our region and will willingly accept enquiry from the interested public.
The book is available for purchase from the following outlets: Beerwah Newsagency, Glasshouse Information Centre and ‘The BookShop’ in Caloundra, or by contacting Neil at the_halpins@bigpond.com
Main image: Past SES climbers and retired Helicopter Rescue personnel: Rohan Matthew-Fredrick, Keith Wellsteed, Gary Pike, Graeme Cheal, June Friske, Lance Friske, Ashley Langford, Hayden Kenny, Jim Campbell and Neil Halpin