Mount Isa Greats - Simon & Natalie Steele
Present-day heroes include Lieutenants Simon and Natalie Steele, The Salvation Army’s Outback Flying Chaplains.
From our base in Mt Isa, we support farming families in times of crisis and well beyond … and the needs are increasing, says Simon.
A trained pilot, Simon uses The Salvation Army’s Robinson 66 Turbine helicopter to deliver assistance and provide practical and emotional support to people on outback properties and remote communities. The helicopter also allows Simon and Natalie to be there for bush families during floods and other natural disasters when aeroplanes are unable to land.
One thing we can do through having a helicopter that hasn’t been done before is landing at a school, on the oval, which brings much excitement to the kids, says Simon. We’ve built up really good relationships with school staff and students and have become an integrated part of whole communities, flying in for community events.
