On Friday 26 June, RFDS South Eastern Section was honoured to welcome Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales, and Mr Dennis Wilson to the RFDS Medical Services practice in Gilgandra. As Patrons of RFDS South Eastern Section, the Governor and Mr Wilson share a longstanding commitment to supporting healthcare access for rural, regional and remote communities.
The visit provided an opportunity to showcase the vital role RFDS plays in delivering primary healthcare services to rural and remote communities and to share plans for the continued growth of services in the region.
During the visit, Dr Shannon Nott provided an overview of RFDS Medical Services, discussed future expansion opportunities at the Gilgandra site, and highlighted the importance of rural workforce development, including our partnerships that support training pathways for future healthcare professionals.
The Governor also met with members of the local team and heard firsthand about their experiences providing healthcare in communities where access to services can be limited.
As part of a broader regional tour focused on meeting the people, organisations and services helping regional communities thrive, the visit provided an opportunity to highlight both the impact of RFDS healthcare services today and the opportunities ahead for healthcare delivery in the region.
Looking to the future, discussions also highlighted plans for the Gilgandra Region RFDS Health Hub, which will build on the success of RFDS Medical Services in the town. By expanding the existing practice to include additional consultation, office and pathology services, the Health Hub will help strengthen healthcare capacity, support workforce growth and enable more services to be delivered closer to home. For Gilgandra and surrounding communities, it represents an important investment in sustainable, community-based healthcare and a commitment to ensuring people in the region can access the care they need, when and where they need it most.
The visit was a valuable opportunity to showcase both the impact of RFDS services today and the vision for the future, reflecting a shared commitment to improving health outcomes and strengthening the wellbeing of rural communities across New South Wales.
We thank all staff involved in hosting the visit and showcasing the commitment, professionalism and care that underpin the work of RFDSSE every day.
