News

Chief Exec RFDS Emma Buchanan receiving award from Cathy Johnson from Readers Digest

Reader's Digest Most Trusted Brand Charity 2025 announced

13 Jun 2025

The Royal Flying Doctor Service is humbled to have been announced, for the 5th consecutive year, as Australia’s ‘Most Trusted’ charity brand in the Readers Digest Trusted Brands Australia 2025.

More details
03 May 2024

#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

Fred about 4 weeks before his diagnosis
01 May 2024

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.

Australian-first virtual emergency centre to help save lives in the outback
25 Apr 2024

#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

Ella with her baby on the RFDS Flight
22 Apr 2024

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.

Leia at Fortescue HQ
19 Apr 2024

#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

Gayle Shann
16 Apr 2024

Parker's Story

Last year the Galloway family were holidaying in Esperance when they were faced with every parent’s worst nightmare.

Parker smiling with his Mum and Dad
11 Apr 2024

#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.

Barry with his neck brace
05 Apr 2024

#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.

Augie in Hospital
29 Mar 2024

#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.

Jane Oakley- Lohm with her daughter
27 Mar 2024

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.

Best for the Bush Rural and Remote Health Baseline 2023
25 Mar 2024

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.

Lee standing in front of his truck.
23 Mar 2024

#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.

Tom Woodrow
21 Mar 2024

Ella's outback dash

Ella Reindler is one of very few pregnant women who can say they drove themself to hospital behind the wheel of a prime mover.

Ella holding baby Lucas in front of prime mover truck.
20 Mar 2024

National Close the Gap Day

At the RFDS we are committed to contributing to the “Close the Gap” campaign to improve both health outcomes and access to culturally appropriate health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

National Close the Gap Day
20 Mar 2024

RAP Year in Review 2023

Reporting and reflecting on another year of progress and strong momentum on our Reconciliation Action Plan and looking to the tasks ahead to continue on this journey.

RAP Year in Review