New mum Elle-Jay and her husband Mack were relieved to hear from the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) (Queensland Section) when their cattle station near Thargomindah was flooded in, just weeks before their due date.
Elle-Jay was 37 weeks pregnant at the time and had been receiving regular antenatal care from RFDS Nurse Manager Jo at the Thargomindah Community Clinic.
To ensure people like Elle-Jay were safe, the RFDS worked in collaboration with the Bulloo Shire Council to evacuate vulnerable patients from Thargomindah to Charleville so they could access essential medical services.
Bulloo Shire Council Mayor John Ferguson said the recent flood left many members of the community completely isolated.
“Without swift intervention, people like Elle-Jay would have been at serious risk,” he said.
“Council’s collaboration with the RFDS was critical in ensuring that those most in need received urgent support during this time.
“The strong partnership between the RFDS and Council played a vital role in providing assistance and reinforcing Council’s commitment to protecting and supporting our community in times of crisis.”
The soon-to-be parents had everything sorted, from the nursery to the birthing plan, but nothing could have prepared them for this.
“I can remember the Bulloo Shire Council called me and said they had a plane evacuating anyone for medical purposes,” Elle-Jay said.
“Then the RFDS called me straight after and said it was a good idea for me to get on that flight.”
Luckily, Elle-Jay's brother-in-law was a helicopter pilot and flew her from the station into town to be evacuated.
While it was difficult for her to leave Mack behind to look after the animals and their house, she said it was a relief to know she could have access to medical support if she went into early labour.
When Elle-Jay arrived in Charleville, Jo noticed she had missed her latest antenatal appointment and organised an essential check-up, along with an iron infusion.
To ensure Elle-Jay had everything she needed for the arrival of her new baby, Jo also gave her an RFDS backpack filled with nappies, wipes, swaddle blankets, toiletry kits and a very cute RFDS baby singlet and bib.
“Without the RFDS, I would have had to drive 10 hours to Toowoomba for all of my antenatal check-ups and scans,” she said.
“It only took me one hour to drive to the Thargomindah Community Clinic.
“I was a little bit worried about raising a family on the station, but the RFDS has always been there for us and is always ready to help. They give us the confidence to live out here.”
Her dream has always been to raise her children on the land, and with help from the RFDS, this is possible.
On 30 April, Elle-Jay and Mack welcomed their healthy baby boy Lachlan to the world and have returned home just in time for Mother’s Day.
