News
All In: RFDS Marks National Reconciliation Week 2026
This National Reconciliation Week, the theme is All In, a call for every Australian to commit to reconciliation not as a one-off gesture, but as an ongoing, everyday action. For RFDS, that commitment is already at the heart of what we do. Here is how we are showing up this NRW 2026.
More details#90 A single dad, a sailboat, two girls and a wheel barrow
For two years, single dad James and his daughters Halle and Isla sailed along WA's coast on 'Salty Jocks', embracing remote schooling and fishing. In an inspiring move, James pushed his daughters 500km in a wheelbarrow to support RFDS's Oceans to Outback fundraiser.
RFDS Fortescue Heli-Med Service EC145 helicopter two year anniversary
Today marks two years since the RFDS Fortescue Heli-Med Service EC145 helicopters joined the Royal Flying Doctor Service WA fleet.
Leanne's Story
Leanne and her husband Darren were taking their new campervan back home to Exmouth when a medical emergency almost cost Leanne her life.
#89 Tired, toilet, thirsty, thinner - Emma's young son ticked all the boxes for Type 1 diabetes.
When Emma Turner first discovered her seven-year-old son, Fred, had Type 1 diabetes, they were living in the middle of nowhere. But after Fred's symptoms suddenly became life-threatening, Emma found herself sitting next to the pilot in the cockpit of an RFDS plane, with her gravely ill son on board
Australian-first virtual emergency centre to help save lives in the outback
The Royal Flying Doctor Service has opened its state-of-the-art health hub in the South Australian outback tourism town of William Creek that provides 24/7 emergency medical help with no health professionals physically on the ground.
#88 Ella was 35 weeks pregnant & driving an outback truck when her waters broke!
Ella and Dave, transport company owners, embarked on a final trip from Perth to Kimberley before their baby's arrival. Unexpectedly, at 35 weeks pregnant, Ella's waters broke in the remote outback, far from medical help. They faced an urgent journey to reach the nearest hospital
Leia's Story
As a fly-in fly-out HR professional for 15 years, Leia Piccoli had witnessed many mining colleagues require an RFDS retrieval in a medical emergency. She had never expected to need the service herself.
#87 How did Gayle lose the use of both arms in a farm-accident?
After Gayle's life-changing accident on a remote cattle station in Queensland, they have had to adapt to a new life, despite one arm being amputated and the other being paralysed
Parker's Story
Last year the Galloway family were holidaying in Esperance when they were faced with every parent’s worst nightmare.
#86 Barry was hanging upside down from his seat belt and the ute was on its roof
Barry was travelling with some work colleagues on his way back to Mount Isa from a remote mine site when the driver lost control of the ute, it flipped and Barry was left hanging from his seat belt. When he released his belt he fell directly on his head, instantly felt pain and saw stars.
#85 How do you manage a Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis in remote Australia?
Danielle and Boyd Keenan live with their two young daughters, August (Augie), 11, and Willa, 9, in Broken Hills, NSW. When Augie was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes the remote city they love was a long way away from diabetes treatment.
#84 How did the remote SA township of Marla come to be?
Jane Oakley-Lohm is a central figure in the story of Marla, a remote township in South Australia that sprung up from a roadhouse created in the 1980's.
Primary care access vital for better health outcomes in remote Australia
The second annual Royal Flying Doctor Service ‘Best for the Bush, Rural and remote Health Base Line’ report was released today.
Saturday night snakebite
For long-haul truck driver Lee, Saturday nights are usually spent behind the wheel on lonely stretches of highway, but one such night in March took a turn, when he had to be flown from to Perth by the Flying Doctor.
#83 Tom collapsed onto his steering wheel and stopped breathing
Have we become too complacent about snakes? Tom had been parked on the side of a rural road when he stepped out to greet his wife. He felt a small sting or bite on his foot, and bent down to see a small snake disappearing under his car.
