A SHARK PATROL TO BANK ON

Bendigo Bank State Manager Greg Spencer with Aerial Patrol General Manager Harry Mitchell.

A NEW sponsorship for the Australian Aerial Patrol will give the Bendigo Bank naming rights to the Albion Park organization for the next three years.

No longer the McDonalds Aerial Patrol, the familiar red and white aircraft will be in the skies over our beaches looking for sharks or boats in trouble under the Bendigo Bank banner.

Five local Community Bank branches joined with their parent company Bendigo Bank in a $70,000 deal to help the Illawarra and South Coast community operations of the Aerial Patrol keep beachgoers safe.

Community Bank Chairman Greg Egan said the new deal would allow the Aerial Patrol to continue its vital service.

The Aerial Patrol is the protector of beachgoers, surfers, recreational boating and fishing enthusiasts along the popular southern coastline, he said.

We feel that the Aerial Patrol is a vital service and could save a life. It is very hard to put a price on a life, we see this sponsorship as priceless.

While officially on board for three years Mr Egan expressed a desire to keep Bendigo Banks sponsorship going well into the future, ensuring the Aerial Patrols financial security for years to come.

With almost 50 highly skilled volunteers the Aerial Patrol is set to remain a familiar sight in our skies, now sporting the Bendigo Bank logo.

longevity

Aerial Patrol General Manager Harry Mitchell said the new sponsorship deal with Bendigo Bank would ensure this vital services longevity in the Illawarra.

While known predominately for their shark spotting prowess the Aerial Patrol also comes to the communities aid in a number of other areas including early detection of bushfires, supply dropping, life raft dropping and recreational boating accidents.

They also play a part in helping the Coast Guard and Water Patrol.

Former naming rights sponsor McDonalds is continuing its sponsorship of the Aerial Patrol in a secondary capacity.