The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) recently brought the heart of country and outback Australia to the nation’s Capital, in a bid to keep rural and remote healthcare firmly on the Federal political radar. As part of Rural Health month, the Plane in a Paddock November 2025 event saw a full-size RFDS aircraft simulator, RFDS Dental Van and an RFDS Patient Transport vehicle ‘double parked’ on the front lawns of Canberra’s Parliament House. Our RFDS Doctors, nurses, physios and dentists are very used to tackling challenging terrain and diverse patient needs across the country, 24/7. But the front-line RFDS staff who attended the prestigious Parliament House event had a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity to share the latest medical innovations and Primary Health Service developments with Federal political leaders of all persuasions - and from all corners of the country.
In the last year, the RFDS made more than 337,000 patient contacts, travelling the equivalent of 34 trips to the moon and back, reaching Australians across 7.13 million square kilometers.
While the RFDS is well known for its life-saving Emergency Retrieval services in some of Australia’s most isolated communities, the Plane in the Paddock event was an opportunity for the RFDS to share so much more about what we do and how we do it. As the proud Patron of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Her Excellency, the Honourable AC Ms Sam Mostyn had the opportunity to step inside a fully equipped RFDS Aircraft Simulator and to explore the innovative and state-of-the-art RFDS mobile dental unit. Along with VIPs and Government leaders from across the country, the Governor General also witnessed first-hand how world-leading innovations like the portable brain scan Stroke Helmet and RFDS Medical Chests are changing the way that health organisations like the RFDS are able to treat remote and rural patients when every minute counts.
“As Patron of the Royal Flying Doctor Service," Her Excellency said, "I am so proud to be here today alongside many of the extraordinary staff, pilots, clinicians, engineers, and volunteers. Their courage and quiet professionalism embody the spirit of service that defines the RFDS and, indeed, Australia itself.”
The Governor General joined RFDS Federation Chair Tracey Hayes and Federation Chief Executive Emma Buchanan to formally celebrate the Service’s enduring mission of providing world-class healthcare to rural, remote, and regional Australians – with Ms Buchanan reminding guests that in the last year alone, the RFDS made more than 337,000 patient contacts, travelled the equivalent of 25 times around the Earth, and reached Australians across 7.13 million square kilometres. The event also marked the launch of the Parliamentary Friends of the RFDS group, co-chaired by Claire Clutterham MP and Senator Alison Penfold, bringing together Members and Senators from across the political spectrum in support of rural and remote healthcare.
“Every two minutes, somewhere in Australia, the RFDS is helping an Australian in need” said Ms Buchanan. “This event is giving our national leaders a small glimpse of how innovation, dedication, and compassion combine to deliver quality healthcare for all Australians, regardless of where you live in this great country.”
