Students from the King Island District school enjoy the simulator

Graphic: Students from the King Island District school enjoy the simulator

RFDS flies in to support King Island Community

Date published

29 Feb 2016

The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) is reaching out to connect with the King Island community on Tuesday 1 March when it attends the Agricultural, Horticultural & Pastoral Society Show and on Wednesday 2 March the RFDS will visit the King Island District School to conduct educational presentations to the students.

Family Planning Tasmania is sending a Women's Health Nurse to King Island and their visit is being supported by the RFDS.

The RFDS will partner with Active Tasmania in the provision of active lifestyle messages to provide health promotion activities such as grip strength, vertical jump, sit and reach, mini exercise bikes and regular stretching sessions.

In addition, the aeromedical training simulator will make a special guest appearance. The simulator is a life sized exact replica of the fuselage of a flying doctor aircraft with functioning equipment and a medical dummy that mimics all human functions and behaviours for realistic simulation.

The Flying Doctor visit to the King Island community is the second in a targeted series of primary health care programs to be delivered to improve the health equity of rural and remote Tasmanians.

On Wednesday 2 March, Sarah Little, RFDS Community Development Coordinator will attend the King Island District school to present the Look! Up in the Sky educational program to students in years 2 to 6. Sarah's presentation is designed to bring the educational program to life through a fun engagement session.

RFDS Tasmania launched the educational program in Tasmanian government, Independent and Catholic Schools for primary school students. The free online schools resource was developed by the RFDS and is designed to give students a comprehensive look at the significant contribution the RFDS has made to Australia's history and its relevance to all Australians today.

The program relates to the focus areas of English, Science, Mathematics, History and Geography across the Australian curriculum and is based on our core values of respect, teamwork, leadership, fairness and compassion.

Lindsay Millar OAM is available for interview.