On 17 May 2026, the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) celebrates its 98th anniversary and Flying Doctor Day, commemorating nearly a century of unwavering commitment to delivering essential health care and emergency aeromedical services to Australians in need.
The RFDS traces its origins to the vision of Reverend John Flynn, who sought to establish a "mantle of safety" for those living in the remote corners of Australia.
The Service was officially established on 15 May 1928 in Cloncurry, Queensland.
Two days later, on 17 May 1928, Dr Kenyon St Vincent Welch and Pilot Arthur Affleck took off in a single-engine De Havilland 50 bi-plane named Victory, bound for Julia Creek.
With no navigational aids and only a compass for guidance, the crew followed fences, rivers, riverbeds, dirt roads and telegraph lines to reach their destination.
That inaugural flight marked the beginning of one of the world's first aeromedical services.
The RFDS is staffed by a dedicated team of pilots, doctors, flight nurses, engineers and support crew who provide a 24-hour emergency retrieval service and primary health care to remote communities.
As demand for services continues to grow, the organisation relies on the generous support of the Australian public to deliver the best possible care to those who need it most.
Flying Doctor Day is an opportunity to celebrate 98 years of service and to honour the frontline crews who show up, every single day, for Australians living far from conventional health care. It is also a moment to look ahead.
With the RFDS centenary arriving in 2028, this anniversary marks the beginning of a landmark countdown, two years away from 100 years of service to the nation.
This milestone comes days after the RFDS was named Australia's Most Trusted Charity in the 2026 Reader's Digest Trusted Brand Awards, for the sixth time. It is a recognition that reflects not just a brand, but a bond built over generations, one patient, one flight and one community at a time.
As the RFDS enters its 99th year, it remains as vital as ever, and as committed as it was on that first flight from Cloncurry, to ensuring that where someone lives never determines the care they receive.
