The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service (WRHS) is hosting two NSW Blues greats at the Hunter Valley Sports Luncheon in June to raise funds for the vital service.
Paul Sironen and Laurie Daley are two of the greats from the 80s and 90s of rugby league, playing for the Balmain Tigers and Canberra Raiders respectively.
Laurie is the current coach of the NSW Blues, making his return to coach the side more than a decade after his first stint in 2013. He made his debut for the Raiders in 1987 and played 244 games scoring 87 tries, 44 goals and nine field goals.
He was inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame in 2008 and received the Dally M Medal in 1995. Laurie represented Australia in the 90s and played 23 State of Origin games for the NSW Blues.
Paul’s NRL career came during his time serving in the NSW Police Force. He left the Force to tackle rugby league full time getting his start playing American football in Hawaii and played in the lower grades for Balmain during summer break.
He joined the first grade side in 1985 and played 246 games during his career until 1998, 14 State of Origin games and 21 Tests for Australia from 1986 to 1994.
Paul was named the Dally M Rookie of the Year in his first year and then Second-rower of the year in 1990.
Laurie and Paul will be front and centre at the Hunter Valley Sports Luncheon on Friday June 6 at the Cessnock League Club, hosted by comedian Justin Karcher.
“We’re looking forward to the Hunter Valley Sports Luncheon, supporting a charity close to our hearts – the WRHS in its 50th year,” said Justin.
“I have lost count of how many of these WRHS luncheons and golf days I have hosted as the emcee comedian. They are always a great day with entertaining guests and the WRHS do an awesome job putting them on and filling a room.
“Come and join us for a great afternoon hearing stories we can only tell at live events and hear how we’re going back-to-back against the cane toads in 2025!”
Norma Burri, the WRHS Hunter Valley Regional Partnerships Officer said the ticket for the luncheon includes canapes and a welcome drink as well as lunch with local wines from Scarborough Wines.
“There will also be a live auction and raffle on the day with some amazing prizes up for grabs. What a great way to kick off the long weekend!
“Today the Service is there for 1.5 million people throughout Northern NSW including those in the Hunter Valley region. Responding to an incredibly diverse range of community needs, from people injured on the roads, farms, workplaces, sporting fields, in the ocean, at the beach and in the bush. The Service also completes hundreds of Inter-Hospital Transfers each year, bringing people from regional towns to major hospitals to receive specialist care.
“This year, the Service celebrates a significant milestone, 50 years of providing rescue helicopter services to communities within Northern NSW,” said Norma.
May is a big month for the WRHS with a number of events on the calendar including charity golf days in Muswellbrook, Tamworth and Maitland, and the Hunter Rescue Ball in Newcastle.
| For more info on the luncheon and to book your spot: https://rescuehelicopter.com.au/events/hunter-sports-lunch/ |
