News

Dr Sophie Ootes pictured next to RFDS aircraft

From Ballarat to the bush: How Dr Sophie Ootes found her calling in rural health

24 Nov 2025

When Dr Sophie Ootes received the RACGP South Australian GP in Training of the Year Award, she wasn’t just accepting a personal accolade – she was representing a voice for rural and remote communities across the state.

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31 Oct 2017

Margaret’s sweet last ride

Well, what a great service. The most caring attendants and the ‘Rolls Royce’ of ambulances. They even stopped at Mums favorite ice cream shop at The Cow Shed, Avoca! Mum passed away at 3:45am on Sunday 26 February.

RFDS Non Emergency Patient Transport Story Margaret
29 Sep 2017

A passion for remote health care

“You have to be flexible - other people might call it resilient, but you must have the flexibility to work in a huge range of environments. You must be adaptable.”

12 Sep 2017

Flying Doctor calls for stricter regulations for children using quad bikes

Quad bike accidents are among the leading causes of on-farm child accidents and deaths in Australia, with 20% of child deaths between 2001 and 2015 attributed to quad bikes.

Quad bikes need stricter regulation
25 Aug 2017

RFDS selected as finalist in two categories in the 2017 Tasmanian Business Excellence Awards

Congratulations to the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Tasmania! They have been selected as finalists in two categories in the 2017 Tasmanian Perpetual Trustees Business Excellence Awards!

03 Aug 2017

A new vision in aviation

The RFDS (Queensland Section) has made Australian aviation history after taking delivery of the Proline Fusion cockpit flight display technology, the first of its kind in the country. Deputy Head of Flying Operations, Clayton Nankivell explains.

RFDS B350 Fusion
01 Aug 2017

Alfred Traeger: Giving the Outback its voice

Traeger's technology spread across two thirds of the Australian continent, covering more than five million square kilometres, giving residents a level of connectivity unlike they had ever seen before.

01 Aug 2017

Bush asks for more doctors, mental health, and drug and alcohol services

Overcoming barriers in access to medical services is the most important consideration of health consumers in country Australia, a Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) research report on health needs of rural and remote residents has found.

29 Jul 2017

Rural nurse honoured as 2017 RFDS Queensland Hero

A dedicated commitment to the wellbeing of her small central Queensland community has seen Lesley De Landelles taking home the 2017 RFDS Queensland Hero award.

Lesley De Landelles
29 Jul 2017

Seeds for Flynn's flying doctor sown 100 years ago

Kimberley stockman Jimmy Darcy suffered massive internal injuries on 29 July 1917 when his horse fell in a cattle stampede. His death attracted national headlines and proved the impetus for Reverend John Flynn's vision for an outback aeromedical service. Read his story

Jimmy Darcy grave
10 Jul 2017

My sister, the brave

My dad called. He told me a truck had crushed his car. My three daughters were trapped inside. He didn't know if they were trapped inside. He didn't know if they were all alive. I thought I was dreaming. That's what stopped me from collapsing."

Jade-Elle car crash
10 Jul 2017

Embedding cultural safety in Australia's main health care standards

In Australia, the existing health safety and quality standards are insufficient to ensure culturally safe care for Indigenous patients in order to achieve optimum care outcomes.

07 Jul 2017

Share your story and make a difference

Share your story with the Flying Doctor and help make a difference

Share your story with the RFDS and make a difference
28 Jun 2017

RFDS Dental Service ready to serve rural communities throughout Queensland

A fresh, new RFDS Dental service is sure to bring a smile to the faces of those people living in rural and remote Queensland.

RFDS Mobile Dental Service
23 Jun 2017

Rockhampton Regional Council gives back to RFDS

A generous donation of $103,064 from the Rockhampton Airport will help to keep the Royal flying Doctot Service (Queensland Section) in the skies.

Rockhampton Regional Council gives back to RFDS