Cancer only fuels Harry’s desire for aerial patrol future

ASK Harry Mitchell about the new scar that runs almost the length of his torso and hell tell you with a smile it was a shark attack.

The charismatic 57-year-old general manager of the Australian Aerial Patrol hasnt lost any degree of his sense of humour, despite a hellish year thats seen him diagnosed and treated for rectal cancer and now midway through eight harrowing rounds of chemotherapy which arent due to wind up until November.

Ive been replumbed, he laughs, of his ordeal, which began last Christmas.

After putting off a colonoscopy for several months, he finally underwent the procedure in December while in hospital for the repair of a hernia.

Instead doctors located a well advanced five-centimetre tumour deep in his bowel. It was news Harry wasnt ready to accept initially.

I didnt want to know anything about it at first, recalls Harry.

I went into a real sweat. But within two days I was saying, right, lets get it out and keep going.

And thats exactly what hes done.

The tumour and 28 lymph glands were removed in a four hour operation at Figtree Private Hospital in January.

Harry left hospital with a temporary colostomy bag and a new outlook on his own life and his passion for the areas McDonalds Australian Aerial Patrol.

For many years now Matt Brown has publicly purported to be a strong advocate of the Aerial Patrol and on many occasions has patted the organisation on the back for the valuable work done by our dedicated volunteer crew members.

He claims to have lobbied ministers on our behalf, fighting for funding for the Aerial Patrol, but to date we have seen nothing but broken promises.

A meeting last year with Carl Scully resulted in nought.

While Matt has raised our plight with various ministers how hard has he really pushed.

Well done, Matt, for the work you have done in the local area, however, I hope you understand that our aeroplanes cant fly on promises alone.

The cost of running the summer beach patrols and search and rescue service have gone through the roof according to Harry.

Maintenance costs for the patrols three aircraft have topped $600,000 since 2000.

And despite the creation of 14 paid positions and the hardwork of 40 volunteers, Harry says the community is the only party showing support for the patrol.

The community support continues to be fantastic but unfortunately things like the governments poker machine tax has taken its toll where we once could expect donations from clubs of between $500 and $25,000, now some of those donation sources have simply dried up altogether.

Despite the lack of a firm funding commitment from the government, Harry says the distinctive red and yellow planes will fly this summer.

I will do the best that I can to raise money through raffles and other fundraising measures in order to continue the work we do.

The famous red and yellow planes of the Aerial Patrol will be there, albeit in some capacity.