Graphic: Malcolm White
In January, Dan White proudly handed over a cheque for $10,000 to the Flying Doctor at our Dubbo Base. It was a bequest from his late father, Dubbo businessman Malcolm White, by way of a thank you for evacuating Dan from Kununurra to Darwin two decades ago.
“Dad was a very generous guy; it was part of who he was, and also his faith,” says Dan. “And he never forgot the critical part the Flying Doctor played in saving my life after a terrible accident.”
Back in 1998 Dan was working on a cattle station in the East Kimberley, in Western Australia when he was involved in a car accident.
“My mate, who was driving, had a couple of broken bones and we were both taken to Kununurra Hospital,” recalls Dan. “They called the Flying Doctor to take my mate to hospital in Darwin, but weren’t sure about me.
“I was still conscious, but they couldn’t determine how badly I was injured. In the end one of the doctors said the Flying Doctor might as well take me, too.”
It was a fortunate decision, because Dan had serious internal injuries.
“At the Royal Darwin Hospital, they discovered I had a ruptured lung, a ruptured liver and a perforated bowel, among a few other things,” explains Dan.
“It took me a whole year to recover, but I was back up north the next season to work. Fortunately, I didn’t have any more trips with the Flying Doctor. They are a critical service for people in the bush. There must be countless stories like mine; people receiving first-class medical attention.”
After attending university and spending the best part of 15 years overseas in South America and Britain, Dan recently returned to Dubbo from London to manage his dad’s company and oversee the development of other family business.
“If the Flying Doctor hadn’t of been on hand to airlift me from Kununurra to Darwin I wouldn’t be here now. Dad and our family were always grateful for that. He left the bequest to help the Flying Doctor continue their great work.”
Leaving a gift in your Will
Leaving a gift in your Will is a powerful way to leave a lasting legacy. It will honour your memory by ensuring your ideals live on. You can leave a gift to the Royal Flying Doctor Service South Eastern Section in three easy ways:
- By leaving a percentage of your estate
- By leaving the residue of your estate after looking after loved ones
- By leaving a fixed amount of money
Having an up-to-date Will is one of the most important ways to ensure your wishes are carried out exactly as planned. We strongly recommend you consult with a legal advisor.
Please note - it is important to use our full legal name and ABN in your Will:
The Royal Flying Doctor Service, South Eastern Section
ABN: 86 000 032 422
Want more information? If you have left a gift in your Will, please let us know so we can keep you updated on our critical work. If you would like to know more about leaving a legacy, please get in touch with us, in confidence on 1300 669 569 or click here.
