Long-time LifeFlight supporter and philanthropist Clive Berghofer has marked a major milestone at a special event held today at LifeFlight’s Maintenance Centre at Archerfield Airport named in his honour.
Mr Berghofer AM was flown from the LifeFlight Toowoomba base, which also shares his name, to the LifeFlight Clive Berghofer Maintenance Centre at Archerfield Airport for a celebratory lunch to mark his 90th birthday.
Mr Berghofer was joined by family, friends, LifeFlight Board members, and Regional Advisory Committee members, in a walk down memory lane, reflecting on the many milestones of his enduring support for LifeFlight over the past 18 years.
The 2024 Queensland Community Philanthropist of the Year has invested more than $7 million in LifeFlight since 2007, including funding a training helicopter for the organisation.
He was one of the original members of the ‘Darling Downs dozen’, a group of Toowoomba locals who founded LifeFlight’s Toowoomba base in 2006.
In 2018, Mr Berghofer contributed $2 million towards funding a new upgraded base in the Garden City.
LifeFlight chair Jim Elder thanked Mr Berghofer for his contribution over two decades.
“Clive has been crucial, not just in providing funds for new facilities and aircraft, but in rallying community support for our aeromedical service in the Darling Downs,” Mr Elder said.
“It is in large part thanks to him that we are fast approaching the 20th year operating in Toowoomba in 2026.
“Clive has not slowed down in his decades of service, and we will do all we can to honour the trust he has placed in us.”
Darling Downs Regional Advisory Committee chair Emily O’Sullivan said the event was a chance to reflect on how far LifeFlight had come since 2006.
“The Toowoomba base continues to go from strength to strength and its thanks to our loyal supporters like Clive,” she said.
“We’re grateful he could join us here today to celebrate his exceptional life and contribution.”
In 2024, Toowoomba retained the mantle as LifeFlight’s busiest base.
Toowoomba helped 905 people over the 12-month period including 42 for motor vehicle crashes and eight search and rescues.
