Amy Scott, the career Sydney police officer with ties to the Hunter, who stood in the breach during the horrific Westfield Bondi Junction stabbing attack on April 13, has been tapped to carry out the game ball for the Sydney Roosters' first emergency services event at Allianz Stadium on Sunday, September 1.
Scott, who grew up playing soccer for Kurri Kurri and Cessnock when she was a teenager, shot and killed the Sydney attacker - 40-year-old Joel Cauchi - stopping his deadly and violent rampage through the city shopping centre that killed six people and injured 17, including a baby.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said Inspector Scott's actions - running alone toward the danger as panicked shoppers fled the complex - had "no doubt prevented" Cauchi from injuring and killing others in his heinous rampage.
The Premier, Chris Minns, said the state owed an "enormous debt of gratitude" to Inspector Scott, who "exemplified the very best of public service in this state".
The NSW government and the Roosters will jointly throw the inaugural emergency services triple-header on Sunday week. It's hoped that the event will become a fixture on the NRL calendar, highlighting one of the eight emergency services divisions each year, beginning with NSW Police.
"This is a great opportunity to honour the heroes who protect and serve our communities every day. Their dedication and bravery are unparalleled, and this event is a fantastic way to show our appreciation," Mr Minns said in a statement last week.
The Force will lead a pre-game show boasting its operational capabilities before Inspector Scott is flown into the stadium by PolAir helicopter to deliver the game ball.
Cops and Firefighters will open the on-field play with an opening match before the Roosters' men's and women's codes take on the Raiders.
"The NSW Police are the unsung heroes of our community; they go above and beyond, often risking their own personal safety in the line of duty," Police Minister and Swansea MP Yasmin Catley said.
"This is a chance to celebrate and show our support for these brave officers. It'll also be a wonderful opportunity to showcase the capability of the NSW Police Force."
Leading from great heights
Speaking of emergency services, the Rescue Helicopter fundraiser, which annually dangles a crew of local business and community leaders over a high place to support the life-saving service, is back again.
The Hunter leaders' leap raised just over $50,600, and this year included Hunt Hospitality mogul Stephen Hunt among a group of other local leaders.
Mr Hunt began growing his pub empire in 2016 and now includes notable local watering holes, including The Kent, Maitland's The Imperial, and the Seabreeze Hotel at Nelson Bay.
The Leaders Leap is a test of fortitude. On Friday last, 25 Hunter and Central Coast leaders abseiled down Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific as a sample of the daring missions that the Westpac Rescue Helicopter fly on a near daily basis.
Mr Hunt raised just over $3500 for the cause, smashing his own fundraising goal, and said the leap was "a unique opportunity to experience a fraction of what the brave rescue team at Westpac Helicopters face regularly".
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service was established in 1975 and operates five helicopters from three forward operating bases in Belmont, Tamworth, and Lismore.
