The power of radio is something the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) (RFDS) has harnessed since its inception, using it to connect with regional, rural and remote communities.
Nearly a century ago, Alfred Traeger developed the pedal‑powered radio that transformed communication for isolated Australians and improved their access to help. From that first floor‑mounted generator, driven by bicycle pedals and capable of sending Morse code, to the hundreds of Traeger sets in use across the country by the 1950s, this innovation helped shape the RFDS into the service it is today.
Radio has enabled us to reach communities across Queensland for emergencies, medical advice and even schooling, ensuring that no matter where you are, access to the finest care is never far away.
We were innovating back then, and we remain at the forefront of innovation today with our latest endeavour: RFDS Radio Queensland, the first Flying Doctor digital radio station to hit the airwaves.
Available 24/7 and accessible via the iHeart Radio app or website, the station is designed to strengthen our connection with the communities we serve.
Featuring news, weather, stories from our people and, of course, music; it's just like a regular streaming radio channel, only better.
With the help of artificial intelligence, we can now provide round‑the‑clock broadcasting, meaning we're on air 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
This is made possible thanks to the voices of AI Joe and AI Evie, AI‑powered radio announcers who assist in collecting and delivering up‑to‑date, local content.
Once again, the RFDS is using innovation to support the communities we serve, and those communities are loving it. In its first six months on air, RFDS Radio Queensland’s monthly listenership grew to 695, with nearly 1,200 streams.
RFDS Radio Queensland has introduced a fresh and engaging way to reach our audience, and with the support of Local Sounds Radio, we’re excited to continue exploring new ways to connect with people across Queensland.
If you want to know what all the fuss is about, tune into RFDS Radio Queensland here.
