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MISSION 44 - THARGOMINDAH / ARCHERFIELD / THARGOMINDAH
3RD AND 4TH ANGEL FLIGHT MISSION FOR THE
KEENE FAMILY – Rebecca and her 1 year old twin boys use to undertake
a regular grueling 15 hour drive, by car, to Brisbane then back.
Until Angel Flight, Rebecca has had no other affordable means of
transport. Sadly, just two months ago Mitchell suffered a stroke
following open-heart surgery and now requires regular follow-up
treatment in Brisbane 's Mater Children's Hospital. The second twin,
Alister, will also receive attention this trip and is booked for
an operation to correct a urinary tract problem. Rebecca and the
twins will continue to be periodic visitors of the Mater for the
foreseeable future. “It certainly has been a difficult twelve months,
and being so far away from specialist medical help has not made
it any easier,” Rebecca said. “I've had to stay in Brisbane with
the twins for two months for Mitchell's treatment, but because of
Angel Flight I have been able to bring them home to see their Dad
who stayed at home in Thargomindah to run the business. Angel Flight
is a real ‘Godsend”, she said.
ARCHERFIELD / THARGOMINDAH – 23/01/04 |
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Barry Arentz - Pilot |
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Cheryl Arentz - Pilot |
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Comment from Barry and Cheryl Arentz
Well the angels were really with us on this flight. Absolutely perfect flying conditions were encountered from Archerfield to Thargomindah. A tad of a head wind but most importantly super calm all the way which made it a very pleasant trip. The Turbo Lance was put to the test for room as Rebecca had a lot of gear to take home and I insisted that she bring it all to the airport and we would do our best to fit it all in. The Photo's says it all, just scraped in . The Alister and Mitchell traveled well. On arrival at TGM which is well in flood the town and the airstrip was just out of the water. Quite strange these western floods as the waters come down from way up river, TGM is still in drought and has yet to have some rainfall, but the town is in actual flood conditions.
Rebecca had to do 2 car trips from the airport with all the gear. Young Mitchell sat happily in the back while Rebecca emptied the first car load. We said farewell to Rebecca, Alister and Mitchell at TGM.
The return trip home was fairly turbulent with plenty of evening cumulus cloud around. Departure from AF was at 7.30am and we landed back at AF at 3.00pm.
This was a very rewarding trip for myself and Cheryl.
From Rebecca : Hi Barry, thanks for a wonderful flight. The boys still are playing with their toys and are enjoying their lollypops.
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Packing the load! |
Cheryl packing the load |
Who said we wouldn't get it in! |
Alister, Rebecca, Barry, Mitchell, Cheryl |
In flood … yet no rain! |
Still more water |
...this inflight service is great |
Please wake me when we're there ………….. |
Barry and Rebecca at Thargomindah |
Ahhh ….. Home again |
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