When Cyclone Zelia bore down on the Pilbara region in February 2025, most locals bunkered down to wait out the storm. But for South Hedland man Joseph Wyllie, the cyclone brought more than just fierce winds - it triggered a terrifying case of asthma. At one stage his oxygen saturation levels plunged to a dangerous 87%.
With roads closed and the weather too dangerous to fly, the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) battled delays before transferring Joseph, who has Down Syndrome, from Hedland Health Campus to Perth for specialist care. After five days of treatment and weeks of recovery with home oxygen support, Joseph pulled through - and his mum Te Aroha’s’s gratitude inspired her to take action.
Both keen swimmers, Te Aroha and Joseph signed up for national RFDS fundraiser Oceans to Outback. Joseph is a strong swimmer and the exercise is beneficial for his asthma.
The mother-son duo set a target to each swim 20 kilometres in 20 days during the month of October in their local pool, along with Joseph’s support worker Andrew Lucas, a former marathon swimmer.
Local businesses and members of the Port Hedland community backed their ‘Swimathon’, raising $2,350 for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, far beyond the family’s original target of $1000.
“The RFDS is so important for us, living where we live,” said Te Aroha.
“The RFDS crews are the ones who are there for us and we need to be there for them.”
Te Aroha plans to recruit more of her family members across Australia into taking part in their 2026 Swimathon and raise an even greater total.
Recently Joseph and Te Aroha bumped into RFDS pilot Shak at their local shopping centre, and told him about the effort they had put in to raise funds for the RFDS. The encounter was just as meaningful to Shak
“It's not often we have the chance to follow up once our patients have been transferred and I'm so glad Joseph had a such a positive outcome,” he said.
“Their commitment to give back to the RFDS speaks volumes about the connection so many Western Australians have with this service. Hearing their story and knowing how much the RFDS has meant to their family is a powerful reminder of the impact we have on our community.”
