Taking flight across NSW for 90 years, the Royal Flying Doctor Service has ensured community healthcare for those living regional, rural and remote.
Flying Doctor Day on Sunday 17 May celebrates the anniversary of the first ever RFDS flight in 1928. It’s an annual event we mark as a reminder of just how far our impact has deepened throughout rural and remote communities over the years. And this year, Flying Doctor Day holds even greater significance, coinciding with 90 years of the RFDS in NSW.
From humble beginnings – a small handful of doctors, nurses and pilots operating out of Broken Hill – to the nearly 400 people across the South Eastern Section today, we have grown into a truly multidisciplinary healthcare organisation, supporting more than 80 rural and remote communities across NSW.
These are communities where often we are the only provider for emergency and primary healthcare, dentistry, and mental health support.
By happy coincidence, Flying Doctor Day also coincides with National Volunteer Week, and as an organisation rooted in the vision and commitment of volunteers and philanthropists, we would like to take the opportunity to say thank you to the many volunteers and supporters that help ensure we can deliver the finest care to the furthest corner.
Introducing the clinic coordinators
Remote clinics are supported by clinic coordinators, often volunteers, who open the clinic doors, keep them clean, regularly host welcoming teas, and even perform the all-essential Roo Runs: zigzagging their car on the airstrip before the plane lands to clear it of local wildlife. It’s not something you find in the city – this is as RFDS as it comes.
The Medical Chest Custodians with their life-saving steel box
Many Medical Chest Custodians are ordinary people going to extraordinary lengths. The Custodians have steel containers, called the Medical Chest, with essential medications and first aid supplies. These trained Custodians manage the medication storage and, under an RFDS Doctor’s supervision, can administer medication when professional care is simply too far away. They are part of our healthcare network helping to close the gap between essential care and distance.
Connecting communities with Airstrip Owners
Our aircraft can fly to 400 different airstrips across NSW, north eastern South Australia and south western Queensland – and many of those airstrips are operated and maintained by private property holders. It’s why we depend on these Airstrip Owners; to help connect our aircraft and vital medical care with some of the most isolated communities. They are the ones maintaining strips, updating the RFDS about its condition, expanding our pilots’ reach in moments where every second counts.
The selfless givers
In the South Eastern Section, about half of our funding comes from donations, gifts, bequests and other RFDS initiatives, such as merchandise sales. Every donation has a deep and profound impact, allowing healthcare to go wherever it’s needed most. Raising awareness of our cause, rallying the public, giving selflessly. It’s essential.
Amongst this cohort we count the RFDS Broken Hill Women’s Auxiliary and the RFDS Dubbo Support Group, dedicated groups of people who commit their time in pursuit of furthering our reach. Their histories are closely entwined with our own. We are deeply connected and thankful for their support and advocacy.
Policy partners
When city-based politicians come to regional communities, they are struck by the vast distances our communities travel to access essential services like healthcare. Working with governments and policy makers, our aim is to ensure that distance is no barrier to healthcare.
Roy Butler, Member for Barwon, recently took to the road to show his support for the RFDS over a 3-day, 1,300km motorbike from Bankstown to Broken Hill. With volunteers and community members across the journey welcoming Roy in towns all over, their generosity of spirit helped fuel the heart of the trip. An initiative implemented by Roy himself, it’s a reminder of the passion our supporters and volunteers continue to provide for Flying Doctor.
Thank you
All our volunteers and supporters are exceptionally important at the RFDS. As we reflect on the past 90 years of service in NSW, we invite you to join us as we look ahead to our next 90 years. We need your support to ensure communities continue to be nurtured and championed in every corner of Australia and thank you immensely for every effort that keeps the Flying Doctor flying.
