The Royal Flying Doctor Service (South Eastern Section) thanks the Country Women’s Association of NSW for its strong leadership and advocacy, following the endorsement of an urgency motion calling for ongoing core funding to support critical healthcare services across rural and remote NSW.
The motion was enthusiastically supported at the CWA of NSW’s 104th Annual State Conference, held this week in Forster, after the RFDS was invited to speak with delegates about the vital healthcare services the RFDS provides to regional and remote communities across NSW.
Put forward by the CWA of NSW State Executive, the urgency motion called for “the NSW Government to provide at least $15 million of ongoing annual core funding to the Royal Flying Doctor Service to ensure vital medical and health services can continue to be available to rural and remote NSW so these communities are not left behind.”
Executive General Manager of Corporate Affairs and Fundraising, Annabey Whitehead, said the urgency motion reflected a clear understanding of the needs of country people.
“The CWA of NSW has long been a powerful advocate for rural communities, and we sincerely thank them for championing the need for stable, ongoing core funding for the RFDS,” Ms Whitehead said.
“This motion builds on our united history, people and purpose, with both the CWA and RFDS sharing a long history of advocating for access to essential healthcare in the bush. For many communities, the RFDS is the only connection to emergency medical care, primary healthcare, mental health and dental services.”
The RFDS and CWA share a proud history that dates back more than 90 years, when both organisations were founded to address isolation, limited access to healthcare and the challenges facing children, women, families and communities in country Australia. The CWA played a key role in fundraising for the establishment of the RFDS’s first NSW base at Broken Hill, which marks its 90th anniversary in May 2026.
At the Forster conference, CWA of NSW members endorsed more than 50 motions, including six urgency motions highlighting critical issues facing rural and regional communities, among them long-term infrastructure, fuel security and the sustainability of essential health services.
“We are proud to stand alongside the CWA as a trusted custodians for regional, rural and remote communities,” Ms Whitehead said. “Together, we are united in purpose – ensuring that no matter where people live, they can access the care they need, when they need it.”
