One Tree Island is a Coral Key (a small coral island) located about 20 kilometers east of Heron Island and about a hundred kilometers off the Queensland coast. Lying in the center of the Capricorn Bunker Group of the Great Barrier Reef, this stunning but relatively small (four hectare) island is surrounded by one of the most highly protected and extensive green zone areas of the Great Barrier Reef. One Tree Island itself is one of just two ‘orange zones’ on the reef, where a special research permit is required for anyone applying to work on the island. Which means the only people lucky enough to experience the magnificent blue waters and spectacular corals and beaches of One Tree island ‘face to face’ are visiting scientists and researchers from all around the world…along with One Tree Island’s dedicated caretakers, Ruby and Heinrich and their young son, Lucas. The couple met in Townsville, while Ruby was studying for an undergraduate degree in Marine Biology and their shared love of the ocean, boats and the marine environment has since taken them sailing around the world and even working with humpback whales in Tonga! But when a friend sent them the details of a caretaker job being offered on a isolated island off Queensland, they knew they were perfectly suited for this ultimate ‘remote working’ role.
In this idyllic episode #133 of the Flying Doctor Podcast, Ruby describes how every day on One Tree is uniquely different. Their family’s wild and wonderful world is not run by the clock or the day of the week – instead it is ruled by the weather and the reef tides. From collecting visiting researchers from the ferry and grabbing island supplies from their nearest supply point at Heron island - to the ever-changing administration or ‘Jack of all trades’ maintenance demands of island life - no two days are the same. But while there’s not much opportunity for a beach-side snooze, each day also brings with it a new adventure – from snorkeling and beachcombing to birdwatching and boat trips. One Tree Island is also one of 3500 remote locations around Australia that play host to an RFDS medical chest. As one of the official custodians for this comprehensive RFDS first aid resource, Ruby is in regular contact with RFDS Doctors and Nurses on the mainland via the RFDS telehealth service. The chest is accessed whenever a visiting scientist requires non-urgent medical treatment for conditions such as coral cuts, ear infections or other unexpected illnesses, that may require preventative treatment or even antibiotics. But more recently, the medical chest also helped Ruby’s own family too – after baby Lucas succumbed to a high fever and an inexplicable rash on his body.
When Lucas was less than a year old, Ruby was contacted by a researcher who had only just left the island. The scientist was calling to let her know that they had just been diagnosed with Strep throat and were now quite unwell. That same night, Lucas began to display symptoms of a fever and began inexplicably screaming in pain. When Ruby realised he was also developing a nasty red rash on his body, she immediately contacted the RFDS tele-health service for advice. As a new mum, many miles from help or a hospital, Ruby says the reassuring advice and support from the RFDS was exactly what the Doctor ordered! Within a few minutes, a Doctor had diagnosed Lucas with a likely case of Scarlet Fever. Ruby soon had an e-script and immediate access to the Island’s medical chest and its potentially life-saving antibiotics. She was also advised that if Lucas didn't get better quickly or if his symptoms became any worse, that an RFDS retrieval might be required. Fortunately for Lucas, within 20 minutes of the powdered antibiotics being administered, his fever was going down and his rash was disappearing. Today, now fully recovered from his illness and nearly three years old, Lucas has just started swimming underwater with goggles and spends much of his time roaming around the island with his full-time nanny or his parents – living the ultimate ‘island adventure’ with his loving parents.
You can find out more about the RFDS medical chests in your state at Flying Doctor Medical Chests | Royal Flying Doctor Service
