Regional Express (Rex), Australia’s largest independent regional airline, keeps going from strength to strength and today celebrates its fourth birthday. To commemorate the occasion, Rex embarked on a special anniversary project with ‘Care Channels’ to create a unique gift for passengers while contributing to a greater mission.
Announcing four years of service to the communities of south-eastern Australia, Rex Managing Director Geoff Breust said today marked another significant achievement for Rex.
“This is yet another wonderful moment in the history of Rex and we sincerely thank all our customers and supporters over the four years for their commitment and custom,” Mr Breust said.
“As a special commemoration, Rex has formed a partnership with the Filipino Non-Government charitable organisation, ‘Care Channels’, which assists low income families in the Philippines as part of a self-help program”.
“’Care Channels’ arranged for 25 low income families in Manila to hand make special bookmarks featuring real handpicked flowers and leaves which have been dried using a special process and then pressed into the bookmark. The bookmarks also feature a background of a Rex aircraft flying over natural landscapes. All bookmarks have been cleared by Australian Customs and Quarantine authorities”.
63 family members ranging from 16 years to 60 have worked for four months making the 100,000 bookmarks. The proceeds will be used to provide medical services and housing assistance for the families involved.
“Rex has been generous in providing assistance for a wide range of charitable and community activities right around our network in Australia. This year we decided to assist some of those less fortunate in another country and we picked ‘Care Channels’. It has provided great assistance to the many families involved who work on a self-help basis”.
“All passengers travelling on Rex services during the month of August will receive a bookmark as a special commemorative gift. In accepting this token, all will know they have helped someone thousands of miles away”.
Expressing his heartfelt thanks to Rex for embarking on the project with ‘Care Channels’, Philippines Ambassador to Australia Mr Ernesto H De Leon, said he was truly moved by Rex’s involvement in a mission to bring work and dignity to less fortunate families in Manila.
“In the Philippines, we have a pool of talented and gifted Filipinos who may not have the means to find productive expressions of these talents. They are often there waiting for the right break to happen…With 100,000 bookmarks passing hands to your (Rex’s) customers and friends, you would have narrated stories of resilience, hope and artistry among people who needed help to discover themselves,” Mr De Leone said.
Also included in the fourth birthday celebrations today, champagne will flow on all afternoon and evening flights and four lucky travellers who purchase flights on-line with Rex today will receive special birthday gifts. Rex Flyers born on 2 August will also be in the running for an anniversary reward.
Rex staff will celebrate Rex’s birthday with cake-cutting and toasts in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Wagga Wagga and Orange.
Rex listed on the Australian Stock Exchange in November last year and operates to 35 regional destinations from Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. The Rex Group which includes Dubbo-based regional airline Air Link and major freight carrier Pel-Air, operate a total of 66 aircraft. Rex has a special corporate lounge facility at Sydney and Adelaide Domestic Airports and has its own Rex Flyer Program.
Luisa (top) a 43 year old mother, used to borrow money for their daily food. Now she has paid off her debts and is able to give some allowance to her children for schooling.
Arjay (left) is 18 years old and finished his computer technology training but is in need of 300 hours of on-the-job training. During his education, he incurred a debt of P12, 000. Because of this project, he has paid off more than 50 percent of his student loan. He feels proud of himself for having achieved this.
Sam (centre) is 21 years old and completed third year college, but had to stop for financial reasons. The bookmark project had increased his knowledge and skills in bookmark-making and has given him the capacity to earn. He is saving his earnings for the continuation of his college education.
Mark (right) is 21 years old and has never been employed. He used to hang out with his friends in the streets. He says that this project has been a big help to him personally. For the first time, he was able to buy his own clothes and help his parents with their daily needs.
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Media contact: Sara-Jane Uden - 0402 438 361
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