Special Supporters

Snowy Hydro SouthCare has gathered support from several well-known individuals that have chosen to voice their support for the Service by becoming Ambassadors and Patrons of Snowy Hydro SouthCare. These individuals include The Governor-General - Major General Michael Jeffery, The Chief of the Defence Force - Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, Olympic athlete Michael Milton and more.

Phil McHugh, Captain Simon Lovell, Glenn Columbine, Major General Michael Jeffrey, David Marshall and Wayne Evans at Government House, photo by Eric Li
The Governor-General, His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffery AC CVO MC
Chief Ambassador for Snowy Hydro SouthCare

The Governor-General of Australia since 2003, Major General Michael Jeffery became the Chief Ambassador for Snowy Hydro SouthCare in 2005. With extensive military service beginning with his 1958 graduation from the Royal Military College in Duntron, the Governor General's experiences during his tour of duty in Vietnam have helped him understand the importance of rescue helicopters in both military and civilian life. During his February 2008 awards presentation to Snowy Hydro SouthCare's crews, he said:

"Not one soldier of mine died of his wounds and that is why I am such a passionate supporter of this service…The awards received today reflect the excellent service provided by the paramedics, doctors, pilots and aircrewmen. Nor should we underestimate the contribution of sponsors, community groups and other donors who have contributed financial support to the operation of the Service. Without these contributions, the Service could not operate. And I again commend the ACT and NSW Governments for their ongoing support.

"In my recent Australia Day message, I said that during our last year in office, Marlena and I wanted to encourage all Australians to care for ourselves, for one another, for our nation and for the land we are so lucky in which to live. The Snowy Hydro SouthCare Helicopter fulfills this vision admirably. I congratulate the many people who contribute to its activities and wish you every success for the future as you go about this important work."

Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, Chief of the Defence Force and Special Ambassador for Snowy Hydro SouthCareAir Chief Marshal Angus Houston AC, AFC, Chief of the Defence Force
Special Ambassador for Snowy Hydro SouthCare

Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston began his military career as a RAAF cadet pilot in 1970. He completed postings in Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Singapore and the U.S.A. before being awarded the Air Force Cross for a 1979 open sea rescue in gale force winds off the coast of Western Australia.  Air Chief Marshal Houston became involved with the Black Hawk helicopter project, work which eventually earned him a 1990 appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM). He assumed his current appointment as Chief of the Defence Force on 4th July 2005 after four years as Chief of Air Force. In 2008 this appointment was extended for three years and he was made a Companion of the Order of Australia - having previously been appointed a Member in 1990 and advanced as an Officer in 2003.

Air Chief Marshal Houston became a Special Ambassador for the Service in 2005, when upon being presented his plaque, he commended Snowy Hydro SouthCare for their outstanding and committed work. "As a helicopter pilot myself, I understand the demanding environment and trying conditions in which the Snowy Hydro SouthCare pilots operate. As Chief of the Defence Force I deeply appreciate the work of Snowy Hydro SouthCare as approximately 50,000 Defence members and their families live in the ACT and south east NSW.  Indeed, some of the lives saved by the Snowy Hydro SouthCare Helicopter have included Defence personnel. This is why I am proud to be associated with Snowy Hydro SouthCare." 

Professor Ian Chubb AC, Vice Chancellor of the Australian National University
Special Ambassador for Snowy Hydro SouthCare

Professor Ian Chubb has been the Vice Chancellor of the Australian National University since 2001 and a Special Ambassador for the Service since 2005.

Michael Milton and Fiona McFarlane at Celebrity Ballroom 2007Michael Milton, Paralympics and Olympic Athlete
Special Ambassador for Snowy Hydro SouthCare

Michael Milton has competed at five Paralympics competitions, winning six Paralympics' gold medals and eleven world Championships medals in the process. In addition, he became the fastest Australian skier ever in 2006 by performing a record-breaking speed of 213.65km/hr. Having taken on the added sport of cycling and a battle with oesophageal cancer since 2007, many wonder if there is anything Michael Milton can't do.

In 2005, Michael became a Special Ambassador for Snowy Hydro SouthCare. Adding to his continually expanding list of talents, Michael supported the Service by competing in the 2007 Celebrity Ballroom event, joining seven other Canberran celebrities in Latin American and Ballroom dance-training and performance.

Stuart Diver, the sole survivor of the 1997 Thredbo landslide
Patron for Snowy Hydro SouthCare

Stuart Diver is the miraculous sole survivor of the Thredbo landslide which took place on 30 July 1997. The event took the lives of 18 people after two alpine lodges slid from the steep hills of Thredbo and landed in a pile of rubble. Stuart spent 65 hours in freezing temperatures before he was pulled from the debris to begin a long road to recovery.

As Stuart knows what it is like to be in a crisis situation, he is fully aware of the benefits of the Snowy Hydro SouthCare helicopter service and became a patron of the Service in 1998.