Friends in the UK events
Gala Ball September 2010
The Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (Friends in the UK) held their Inaugural Ball at Claridges Hotel in London on September 16, 2010.
Organised by the Trustees and spearheaded by the Chair of the Friends, Mrs Marina Ritossa, the event was a resounding success, not only raising in excess of TO BE CONFIRMED but also affording Australian expats living in London, a night to remember.
The menu echoed the Australian theme with Australian lamb as the main course and pavlova as dessert. The wine was generously provided by McGuigans, and the table decorations were designed around model RFDS planes sitting on a map of Australia constructed of white sand and native Australian flowers.
Guests were able to enjoy the music of the Danny Mills Band at the pre-dinner champagne reception, and the entertainment continued through the evening. The Australian country singer Chris Pickering, who flew in from Nashville for the Ball, opened dinner with a rendition of "I Still Call Australia Home". The outrageous comedienne Pam Ann brought a smile to everyone’s face as she described the vagaries of air travel and had the Ballroom roaring with laughter while she commanded the stage.
An auction with Lord Jeffrey Archer, saw weekend breaks at the five star safari resort, Dalton, paintings by David Bromley and Greg Allen, a signed Helmet and T shirt from Mark Webber and Lewis Hamilton, cases of Grange wine and even a bag of Elle Macpherson underwear as just some of the donate.htmld auction items.
Guests included representatives from Barclays, Goldman Sachs, Rio Tinto, CQS, ICAP, Zip Industries, CBA and Deutsche Bank. The Deputy Australian High Commissioner attended and many of the trustees lent their hand to a successful evening, including Sir Michael Bishop, Ms Nicky Reid, Mr Peter Box and Mr Michael Whalley.
The Danny Mills Band closed the evening in style as guests danced into the early hours to classic cover versions of well remembered hits, but without doubt the most memorable moment was Marina Ritossa’s quietly passionate speech calling for everyone to dig deep to support a charity that touches the hearts of all Australians and is a life line to so many.
Pictured to the right: Guests at the 2010 Gala Ball
Clarence House February 2009
HRH The Prince of Wales, as Patron of The Royal Flying Doctor Service (Friends in the UK), hosted a reception at Clarence House to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the charity and to acknowledge supporters of the charity.
Many well known, London based Australians were at the reception. Amongst the attendees were Germaine Greer, Rolf Harris, Kathy Lette and Jason Donovan. The Australian High Commissioner to London, His Excellency Mr John Dauth also attended as did Sir Michael Bishop and Captain Clyde Thomson.
The Prince of Wales has been the charity's Patron since its inception in October 2003. Mrs Ritossa, Chairman of the charity said "I would like to extend my gratitude for His Royal Highnesses' support and Patronage of the Friends over the past 5 years. Much of our success is very much attributed to the generosity of our Patron both with his time and direction."
The charity was established to support the endeavours of The RFDS in Australia and, in part, to raise funds to purchase aircraft for its fleet. "Just this week we have been granted naming rights of a new King Air B200 aircraft which will join the Fleet this year," said Mrs Ritossa. "This is the first aircraft to be purchased through the work of the Friends in the UK. It will be named after the Friends as acknowledgment of the support and generosity of our sponsors in the UK. This is a significant step for the Friends and one that could not have been possible without the Patronage of The Prince Of Wales."
"This new aircraft will provide much needed support for the people of the Outback. The purchase of this plane is a significant achievement for the Friends in the UK"
Prior to the reception, His Royal Highness expressed his sympathy for the loss of life due to the fires in Victoria and NSW.
The RFDS were not involved in any emergency services for the victims of the tragic fires in Victoria and NSW, due to the fires being so close to metropolitan Melbourne and not within the RFDS's operations. Mrs Ritossa expressed her condolences to the victims of the fires and said,
"The loss of life and human suffering of the past week (however), show how vital emergency services are in peoples time of need. The RFDS plays a crucial role in providing emergency and primary healthcare to the people of the Outback. It is a crucial service, covering over seven million square kilometres, almost 80% of the continent."
Over the past five years The RFDS has assisted the AMREF Royal Flying Doctor operations in Nairobi, Kenya. Funding was obtained from the Australian Commonwealth Government for AMREF personnel to visit The RFDS in Australia in order to gain knowledge in aeromedical operations and systems. This led to the AMREF Flying Doctor Service becoming a recognised and internationally accredited aeromedical operation, providing services across Africa. Continued assistance from The RFDS to the Kenyan Flying doctors is planned, to transition AMREF into a new structure based on the RFDS of Australia.
Captain Clyde Thomson, executive director of the RFDS (South Eastern Section) said 'The RFDS of Australia is pleased to continue assisting the AMREF Royal Flying Doctor Service which is based on the same philanthropic principles as the Australian RFDS. Our operational support and advice will enable the AMREF Royal Flying Doctors to strengthen their vital emergency and medical outreach services across Africa.'
Pictured above right: HRH the Prince of Wales, Sir Michael Bishop CBE, Christine Liddy
Shane Warne event July 2007
Australian cricketing legend Shane Warne, last night played to a packed house at a sell out black tie function in the Long Room at Lords. The event was attended by more than 160 
business and community leaders who paid $1,250 a ticket in aid of the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia.
The night was organised by Australian Business on behalf of the UK Friends of the Flying Doctors, of which the Vice Patron is Australian High Commissioner Richard Alston recently retired Rio Tinto CEO, Leigh Clifford, was the master of ceremonies and a very successful and entertaining auction was conducted by Lord Jeffrey Archer. The night raised more than $200,000 in ticket sales and more than $235,000 in auction items and donations for the cause.
“We are absolutely delighted with the response”, said the High Commissioner Richard Alston. “We have always known the English appreciate our sporting abilities but it is very gratifying to know that they are prepared to provide such heavyweight financial support for one of Australia’s most iconic institutions”.
Shane Warne is still in fine form, leading Hampshire to a one day victory on Sunday and taking five wickets in an innings last week in the County championship. He was interviewed by one of the games leading commentators, Mark Nicholas, who along with Shane Warne provided his services free of charge.
Pictured: Shane Warne and the High Commissioner