Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) (RFDS) Senior Mental Health Clinician, Timna, has embraced a new role that blends her passion for health and disaster recovery, supporting communities across Western Queensland.
With a nursing career spanning four decades across multiple areas, Timna has gained expertise in emergency care, midwifery, and disaster recovery. Yet it is her commitment to primary health care that continues to drive her work.
“The special thing about primary health care is helping people to feel they have the power to make a difference to their own health outcomes,” Timna said.
“Even though I’ve worked as a flight nurse and loved the excitement of it all, being able to support people in a way that they can then support themselves is incredibly rewarding.”
It’s no surprise Timna has found her calling with the RFDS. Growing up on a fishing boat in remote Far North Queensland, the RFDS has been prominent in her life from an early age.
“Living on a fishing boat meant I did distance education from grade one to eight, and attended RFDS School of the Air for a couple of years until I went to boarding school.
“We also had a RFDS Medical Chest on the boat, and I still have family who live on the Cape where the RFDS continue to run regular clinics.
“Being brought up in remote Queensland, I understood the importance of the service, and like many kids out here, working for the RFDS is the dream which I’m proud to live every day.”
Timna’s latest role is part of the Flood Recovery Program, launched after devastating floods swept across North Western Queensland, she provides counselling and resilience-building support for flood-affected individuals, families, and children.
“As these communities are so remote, one of our key focuses is building people’s knowledge and skills of how they can support each other when it comes to mental health,” Timna said.
“Often, community members are the first to provide support before professional help can be accessed, which is why mental health first aid is so important, especially in these regions.”
She believes that even the smallest acts of care can make a big difference.
“It’s like having a glass of water, realising how good it feels and the fact you could have probably done with that an hour ago; that’s very pertinent to mental health,” she said.
“It’s not till you actually have a conversation with someone that you think, wow, I actually feel better.”
For Timna, the work always comes back to connection and community.
“What I love most is knowing our work makes a real difference to rural and remote communities,” she said.
“I’m constantly inspired by the communities we serve. Their strength, resilience, and willingness to support each other is what makes our work possible.”
Thanks to the incredible work of Timna and the wider mental health team, regional, rural and remote communities across Queensland are supported and empowered to face whatever life throws their way.
