For 97 years the Royal Flying Doctor Service has been there for regional, rural and remote communities of Australia, providing emergency retrievals and primary healthcare.
From our founder, Reverend John Flynn, and the crew of the first flight on May 17, 1928, pilot Arthur Affleck and Dr Kenyon St Vincent Welch,, through to the almost 400-strong team that make up the South Eastern Section today, the passion and dedication of each and everyone in our team has contributed to our incredible legacy.
To showcase the pride that accompanies working for one of Australia’s oldest and most trusted charities, some of our team across the South Eastern Section shared what makes them proud to work for the RFDS and what Flying Doctor Day means to them.
Dr Angela Gray - General Practitioner - Broken Hill
The RFDS strives to deliver the best health care despite distance, sparseness and austere environment; I'm proud to be a part of that.
Flying Doctor Day is a reminder of the origins of the RFDS, and of all the staff, communities and patients that came before. It's also a reminder of the amazing team I am blessed to work with.
Abbey Barrett - Primary Health Nurse - Dubbo
“I’m proud to work for the Royal Flying Doctor Service because we make a real difference in the lives of people in rural and remote communities, delivering both critical and healthcare where it’s needed most. Being part of such a dedicated and passionate team committed to saving lives and improving health outcomes is truly rewarding.
Flying Doctor Day provides a chance to celebrate the amazing work we do and the difference we make in people’s lives every day. It’s also a great reminder of how important our supporters and team are in helping us reach those who need us most, no matter how far away they are. It's also a moment to reflect on the great work we do.
San Tan - Financial Accountant - Sydney
Proud to be part of an organisation that provides a service to remote areas and makes a meaningful impact to people’s lives.
2025 marks 97 years – a great achievement recognising the continued need for such a wonderful service in the community.
Jon Storrar - Director of Training Emergency - Dubbo
At the RFDS we are able to work as part of a highly skilled team to deliver outstanding medical care to remote communities. Every job we do poses its own unique set of medical and logistical challenges, making our work both an interesting and rewarding experience.
Kimberley Hayes - Accounts Officer - Broken Hill
I love working for the RFDS, because everyday brings the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in rural and remote communities. After 16 years, I’m proud to be part of a team so deeply committed to the care, compassion, and connection across the country.
To me Flying Doctor Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the incredible history and impact of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, which began in 1928 through the vision and dedication of Rev. John Flynn. His legacy lives on in the lifesaving care the RFDS continues to provide across rural and remote Australia.
Kerry Lee Hassan - Flight Nurse - Dubbo
I love my job. We have a great team. Our patients appreciate what we do. They are there waiting for the plane and they are so grateful. The wider communities welcome us and embrace us.
In a way every day is Flying Doctor Day because of the way our communities treat us, but it is important to celebrate milestones and recognise our heritage.
Fallon Gray - General Practice Business Development Lead - Condobolin, Gilgandra, Warren
I am proud to be the Business Development Lead of Medical Services with the Royal Flying Doctor Service in the rural regions of Condobolin, Gilgandra and Warren because we are making a difference and providing certainty in communities with primary health care services. I have a passion for rural and remote healthcare spanning 23 years and moving into these communities has been a rewarding and challenging experience that I would describe as the pinnacle of my career to date.
I am proud to be part of an organisation providing a high level of patient care and sustainable health care services including primary health, early intervention and prevention, health information and screening and chronic disease management. Working with RFDS in primary care is a proud achievement and one which I credit to the staff, community and RFDS organisation as a commitment to service delivery and patient health access.
Nicole Gerrard - Supporter Relations Coordinator - Sydney
I take pride in helping our supporters (being their voice) to ensure to the best of my ability that supporters and our organisational needs are met and aligned. Being named Australia’s most Reputable Charity by The RepTrek Company for the 13 years out of the 14 year study is also a great achievement for me personally and couldn’t be achieved without incredible team support.
Celebrating Flying Doctor Day is a great way of celebrating RFDS longevity of helping those who work, live and travel in rural and regional outback.
Katie Cotter - Customer Service Officer - Dubbo
I'm proud to work for the RFDS. Not just because of the lifesaving work provided but because of the dedication of those who work around me. Our staff in the Visitor Experience put in so much effort for our Base here in Dubbo, whether that be in Maintenance or Education or even the Outback Trek Cafe staff, we all work to make this place run, I'm incredibly proud of my coworkers.
I honestly can't fathom the first doctors and nurses experiences with the service, I would not cope if I had to get on a tiny Fox-Moth plane to get to a doctor or hospital. We are incredibly lucky to have some amazing ingenuity and advances to technology and medical equipment our first responders use. The Royal Flying Doctors have been around for 97 years, It definitely shows that We need this service to continue, I believe the RFDS will continue to fly in the Australian skies for a long time to come.
Claudio Grasso - GM Operations & Service Delivery - Sydney
Because of what the RFDS represents and the connection it has to helping people in far and remote communities of Australia. For 97 years, the RFDS has been true to its values of care reliability, safety and trust and is always at the ready to respond to any unforeseen health crisis no matter the location. Being able to influence and support our teams provides me great satisfaction and pride.
It’s a day to celebrate the achievements of such an iconic brand and our people. A day celebrating a brand that has stood the test of time serving Australians in need for almost 100 years and continuing to do so into the future.
Sonya Winn - Assets and Infrastructure Administrator - Dubbo
I grew up near Tilpa & I know firsthand just how important the RFDS is to Australian rural communities. When I started working with the RFDS back in 2021 it did feel like coming home in many ways.
My role within the Assets & Infrastructure Team allows me to indirectly assist in supporting our Doctors and Nurses and Pilots as they continue to provide medical services to rural NSW, and I'm quite proud of that.
Micheal Harper - Flight Nurse - Dubbo
I am proud that I get to help rural and remote people access healthcare and I am proud that I get to play a role in improving health outcomes for that population. I'm grateful to work for an organisation that is leading the way in delivery of primary and emergency healthcare to rural and remote Australia.
Flying Doctor Day is a day we can celebrate and share the work we do across the organisation, from our front-line staff through to the people behind the scenes who make it all come together. It is also a day to recognise the huge impact donors have. Without them we would not be able to bring the highest quality emergency health care and allied health care to rural and remote Australia.
Dr Seamus Barrett - General Practitioner - Dubbo
I have been inspired by the RFDS organisation since first visiting the Dubbo Base as a medical student. I am privileged to provide care to rural and remote communities in my current role as a GP in Primary Health. To now be part of this team with such a rich history of caring for Australia's furthest corners means so much to me and feels like the realisation of a long-held goal to serve Australia's rural communities who are too often forgotten.
To me, Flying Doctor Day is a chance to celebrate and reflect upon the years of successful collaborative work between the Australian public and the RFDS organisation to provide sustained, essential and high-quality care to Australian communities, no matter how far they are from the big smoke.
How do you want to show your support?
Share your support on social media
No matter if you are a regular giver, volunteer, fundraiser or champion in your community - you make the Flying Doctor possible! Help us celebrate by sharing your support on social media!
Get your social media tiles
Test your knowledge about the RFDS in NSW
Did you know two thirds of our staff live in the communities they support? Share our fun RFDS facts or download one of our colouring-in pages to celebrate Flying Doctor Day with the whole family.
Download our posters and colouring-in sheets
Make your own design with our stickers
Get creative and celebrate the RFDS your own way with our range of stickers. Share your designs with us on Facebook by tagging Royal Flying Doctor Service NSW / ACT.
Collect all the stickers