When Luke Dufficy was told he’d become RFDS Bundaberg Base’s first permanent engineer, he was over the moon.
He’d been plying his trade in the heat of Mount Isa for the best part of a decade, so when the chance came to move to a more coastal location, he dived right in.
“I was rapt to be given the opportunity as to me this role is the ‘golden goose’ of engineering, both for my career but also because Bundaberg is such a great location,” Luke said.
Until Luke’s appointment, engineering support at the RFDS Bundaberg Base had been done by bringing in technicians from other base locations.
Now with a designated engineer working full-time in the region, the advantages of having aircraft offline for less time will be significant.
“Primarily I’ll be working on Beechcraft King Air B200 aircraft who do a lot of work moving patients between Hervey Bay and Maryborough through to Bundaberg," Luke said.
“After working on small planes and seeing how much primary producers rely on the support of the RFDS when things go wrong, I’ll be doing my best to keep planes available so the pilots and medical staff can provide the service to those that need it most."
Luke’s arrival in Bundaberg coincides with World Engineering Day (4 March) which this year celebrates ‘smart engineering for a sustainable future through innovation and digitalisation’.
Innovation remains at the forefront of the RFDS (Queensland Section) thinking with plans to introduce new, more efficient, King Air B260C aircraft in the coming years.
For Luke, who’s moved to Bundaberg with his fiancee Tegan, the opportunity to work and live in one of regional Queensland’s fastest growing areas is something he can’t wait to immerse himself in.
“I’m looking forward to just having access to a beach we can swim at," he said.
“Bundaberg is still a regional part of Queensland but it’s just four hours drive from Brisbane and only three hours from Rockhampton.
“It’s an exciting role and a great location change and my partner and I are looking forward to living a lifestyle that we haven’t been able to for so many years."
