A remarkable 26-year partnership between Ergon Energy Retail and the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) (RFDS) has reached a major milestone, with customers and employees helping to raise more than $21 million to support vital healthcare services across regional, rural and remote Queensland.
Through Ergon Energy Retail’s Community Partnership Program, customers can choose to make a voluntary donation to the RFDS when paying their energy bill. While individual contributions are often just a few dollars at a time, together they have helped the RFDS deliver aeromedical retrievals, primary health care, mental health programs and patient support services across the state.
Last financial year, the Ergon Energy Retail Community Partnership Program contributed $916,294 to the RFDS (Queensland Section), taking the total amount raised through the partnership beyond $21 million.
The achievement highlights the collective generosity of Ergon Energy Retail customers and employees, whose ongoing support helps to deliver life-saving care to Queenslanders, regardless of where they live.
Ergon Energy Retail Executive General Manager Ayesha Razzaq said reaching the $21 million milestone was a proud moment for everyone involved in the program.
"For more than 26 years, our customers and employees have demonstrated an incredible commitment to supporting Queensland communities through the Royal Flying Doctor Service," Ms Razzaq said.
“Reaching $21 million in donations is a remarkable achievement and reflects the lasting impact that collective giving can have. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps ensure essential healthcare services remain accessible to communities that might otherwise go without.
"This milestone belongs to our customers and employees. Their generosity and commitment have helped make a real difference in the lives of countless Queenslanders, and we thank them for their ongoing support."
RFDS (Queensland Section) Chief Fundraising and Engagement Officer Katherine Ash said the long-running partnership had become one of the organisation's most significant and enduring sources of community support.
"For more than a quarter of a century, Ergon Energy Retail customers and employees have stood alongside the RFDS to help deliver healthcare where it is needed most," Ms Ash said.
"The achievement of raising $21 million is extraordinary and reflects the power of community giving.
“These funds have helped support life-saving flights, essential healthcare services and patient care programs for people living in some of Queensland's most remote communities.
"We are incredibly grateful to Ergon Energy Retail, its customers and employees for their ongoing partnership and dedication to helping ensure no Queenslander is left behind when it comes to accessing healthcare."
To help celebrate the milestone and showcase the people behind the partnership, the latest edition of the RFDS's bi-annual magazine, Your Flying Doctor, features Ergon Energy Retail employee Sam Acutt, highlighting the important role employees play in supporting the program and the communities it serves.
The milestone provides an opportunity to recognise the collective impact of Ergon Energy Retail customers and employees, celebrate their ongoing support, and raise awareness of the critical work undertaken by the RFDS across Queensland every day.
As demand for healthcare services across regional and remote Queensland continues to grow, the partnership remains a powerful example of how businesses, employees and customers can work together to create meaningful and lasting change.
