85 years in the NT
It’s hard to believe it’s been 85 years since we made a home in the Territory.
When Alice Springs Base officially opened for operation in August 1939, there was a plane, a pilot, a radio and a doctor.
These days, with more than 90 staff working at two bases in Alice Springs and Darwin, the RFDS airlifts more than 2,500 Territorians every year, and has 10 purpose-built Pilatus aircraft, ready to respond 24/7 – all 100 per cent locally serviced and maintained.
We’re still bringing the finest care to someone in the Territory every 20 minutes:
- Emergency airlifting locals from our Darwin and Alice Springs Bases every year.
- Building a new Patient Transfer Facility in Tennant Creek, where we land at least once a day.
- Brightening smiles through our Oral Health Program (the Katiti Doctors).
- Supporting wellbeing in schoolyards and stockyards with mental health engagements.
- Flying NT health workers to remote communities to deliver specialist and primary health care.
- Plus, employing dedicated locals and growing the next generation of doctors, engineers and first responders through education, training and apprenticeships.
Yep, we’re proud to be true Territorians, and your health is our Territory.
A risk of rupture and a race against time
As time ticked by, Robert had a tight window to travel 3,000km across the country for life-saving surgery.
Partners in flight
Hear from Dianne Stephens OAM as she explains how the CDU and RFDS partnership delivers two courses in Aeromedical Retrieval
Learning from the ground up
We catch up with 21 year old Ash as he begins his third year of his Aircraft Maintenance Engineering apprenticeship.
Meet our new Deputy Chair
Hear from former NT Administrator Vicki O’Halloran AO CVO in her new role as RFDS SA/NT Deputy Chair.
2024 NT Year in Review
Your Flying Doctor exists to support healthier and happier Australians, no matter where they live, work or play. Check out our NT Year in Review.
An outback nightmare
29 year old Liana woke up covered in blood on a remote NT cattle station. The RFDS was there when she needed it most.
Critical care and coordination
In Central Australia, critical care doctors like Dr Wyllie from MRaCC offer 24/7 telephone support and coordinate RFDS crews for Territorians and tourists in need.
Small patient, big complications
More than a thousand kilometres stood between young mum Ratna Wilis and the hospital that could help her newborn son.
Strong women, healthy country
Recently the RFDS Nursing team was invited to provide First Aid and health promotion at the annual ‘Strong Women for Healthy Country’ Forum in the NT's Top End.
A real kick in the face
23-year-old Amy Kynoch was going about her work as a station hand at Lucy Creek Station, NT when she was knocked out cold.
Yarning with the RFDS mob
As a silent mental health crisis continues its deepening hold in the remote NT heartlands, the RFDS is trying to stop it in its tracks.
Chopper crash comeback
Alex was living the dream as a helicopter tour pilot at Uluru, until an engine failure changed his life forever.
Emergency NT retrieval
Follow the Flying Doctor on an outback mission to Utopia, NT to get young patient Tyler to safety and care in Alice Springs.
Top End training
Dealing with the constant challenges of living in remote NT can trigger a range of emotions and stress. Watch our Mental Health Training in partnership with NTCA.
Remote island resilience
On the remote island of Galiwin’ku in the Top End, the Flying Doctor has been busy working with the community, vaccinating to keep them safe.
In hot water
Cowboy Louis was enjoying his fourth year at a station in the remote Barkly Region of the NT, when a freak accident struck.
Healthy smiles, happy lives
At the base of Uluru, the Flying Doctor is working together with the Aboriginal Community of Mutitjulu to promote healthy smiles and happy lives.
From tourist to team member
After visiting the RFDS Darwin Tourist Facility for the first time, Mitchell Stennett became enamoured by stories of the Flying Doctor, and before long, gained work there as a Customer Service Assistant.
