![](https://thumbor.ixchosted.com/RsCNv-brHy9UdC3YDMHTn5sgrEw=/1600x1200/https://rfds-media.s3.amazonaws.com/dd/hero_background_image/wings-youtube.7759.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIA57J6V557HP5WJ6WZ&Signature=Yk4hijpCt3%2F16LrroIaCxlsYH6Q%3D&Expires=1722060902)
Your Flying Doctor has its arms stretched out wide for Australians – not only in an emergency but for 'whole of life' care.
Scroll for stories.
![A close shave: Ash's story](https://thumbor.ixchosted.com/uYmJ-Vj5ELPOIiLU6e6FQ5I1QP0=/600x400/https://rfds-media.s3.amazonaws.com/dd/service/Ash-Appeal-Thumb.3d34.png?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIA57J6V557HP5WJ6WZ&Signature=t%2FbAoGLEZhZhGdHFYLVM8%2B86XqE%3D&Expires=1722060902)
A close shave: Ash's story
While working on a remote SA station’s homestead, Ash was flung from his motorbike, knocking him unconscious. As the adrenaline and shock waned, the pain came.
Read more![Brought back to life... twice: Colleen's story](https://thumbor.ixchosted.com/s_4wmUOQaiaTOgKccPA4QqV3YRc=/600x400/https://rfds-media.s3.amazonaws.com/dd/service/Rich-Colleen-web-thumb-770.967c.png?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIA57J6V557HP5WJ6WZ&Signature=4ZdaMLIDwJv3fWnTik1Y38ieBMo%3D&Expires=1722060902)
Brought back to life... twice: Colleen's story
Richard thought he’d lost the love of his life when his partner Colleen’s heart stopped not once, but twice, in the middle of the night – in the middle of the outback.
Read more![Protecting a special pocket of Australia | Kalamurina Wildlife Sanctuary](https://thumbor.ixchosted.com/DYDftqJvFXuHNZR10ukzht42aXg=/600x400/https://rfds-media.s3.amazonaws.com/dd/service/Kaluthumb.6344.png?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIA57J6V557HP5WJ6WZ&Signature=IbBbKVOBt7w4Kk78RDc9DuyC%2BqU%3D&Expires=1722060902)
Protecting a special pocket of Australia | Kalamurina Wildlife Sanctuary
Stationed at the intersection of Australia’s three central deserts, the challenges of accessing health care loom large for Kalamurina Wildlife Sanctuary Manager, Dr Annemarie van Doorn.
Read more![Physiotherapy | RFDS SA/NT](https://thumbor.ixchosted.com/hazdYn8wi2AGIT7ZHdZwfu6alQk=/600x400/https://rfds-media.s3.amazonaws.com/dd/service/Aled-thumb.bce2.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIA57J6V557HP5WJ6WZ&Signature=Di3iRb4Kf4hMRjuLvlhm6W5NypY%3D&Expires=1722060902)
A dry needle in the haystack: Meet our first Flying Physio
Armed with a portable treatment table and a backpack containing everything you’d find in a city clinic, the RFDS’s newest health professional is making tracks in the bush.
Read more![Old Scars, New Strength: Sandy's Story](https://thumbor.ixchosted.com/tk5l2-Uum7XgXPXrJsf-MRxs7Eo=/600x400/https://rfds-media.s3.amazonaws.com/dd/service/Sandra-thumb.92dc.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIA57J6V557HP5WJ6WZ&Signature=O5Kd3d551D0gy4PaN4KyYfVhm98%3D&Expires=1722060902)
Old scars, new strength: Sandy's story
Traumatic injuries can have long-lasting effects and for Ti Tree resident Sandy Abley, the Flying Doctor was there to support her full journey to physical and emotional recovery.
Read more![Behind the scenes of an RFDS outback mission](https://thumbor.ixchosted.com/32VaMeEUOR-0-iKXwV7s-Rq5dHs=/600x400/https://rfds-media.s3.amazonaws.com/dd/service/Utopia-retrieval.f401.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIA57J6V557HP5WJ6WZ&Signature=zeTxaWPvnONRJHvtlJcpqRXS6Xg%3D&Expires=1722060902)
Emergency Outback Retrieval
Follow the Flying Doctor on an outback mission to get young patient Tyler to safety and care.
Read more![When ritual meets rescue](https://thumbor.ixchosted.com/D2pZSkxnafyXWV5zwO8m71eCbUc=/600x400/https://rfds-media.s3.amazonaws.com/dd/service/crilly.0877.png?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIA57J6V557HP5WJ6WZ&Signature=GHNDtEU%2Bk%2BdVUfWOCoa6beWGBWs%3D&Expires=1722060902)
When ritual meets rescue: Robert's story
in March 2021, a Men's Business ceremony in Far North SA took an unexpected turn, when Robert began experiencing extreme pain in his abdomen.
Read more![RFDS SA/NT | Outback highway landing](https://thumbor.ixchosted.com/GpUjh9T1W8aQfkJ4NmID8vzuVow=/600x400/https://rfds-media.s3.amazonaws.com/dd/service/traeger.c0b6.png?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIA57J6V557HP5WJ6WZ&Signature=2wJlMUaRkSmHWD7jgus3zJ5DlmI%3D&Expires=1722060902)
Australia's first outback highway landing
In 2023, the RFDS performed a world-first aeromedical jet landing on a stretch of remote South Australian highway.
Read more![In hot water](https://thumbor.ixchosted.com/koKHWmT5r7ujAxsOv4lmJzS73Qs=/600x400/https://rfds-media.s3.amazonaws.com/dd/service/IHW.99fc.png?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIA57J6V557HP5WJ6WZ&Signature=32ZDRJK1O8RmGJ0fl3HgN0Q2Uy4%3D&Expires=1722060902)
In hot water: Louis' Story
Cowboy Louis was enjoying his fourth year at a station in the remote Barkly Region of the NT, when a freak accident struck.
Read more![Richard Hawkins | Andamooka](https://thumbor.ixchosted.com/4L11MxVhKccWXGy0xVHa174ZLNw=/600x400/https://rfds-media.s3.amazonaws.com/dd/service/Richard-Andamooka.6646.png?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIA57J6V557HP5WJ6WZ&Signature=EaYSzwyb76GgfinTYpKtggFQj5w%3D&Expires=1722060902)
Five times revived: Richard's story
On a searing summer day, South Australian opal miner Richard Hawkins fell victim to extreme dehydration and his heart stopped.
Read more![Out of breath, out of nowhere](https://thumbor.ixchosted.com/8YciWEy2qnprmernQKLOg2bCTjU=/600x400/https://rfds-media.s3.amazonaws.com/dd/service/Shannon-Antcliffe.7435.png?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIA57J6V557HP5WJ6WZ&Signature=lv5VZyYutLLzczmRraOOvDWCggc%3D&Expires=1722060902)
Out of breath, out of nowhere: Shannon's story
Shannon was 1,000 kilometres from home and unable to breathe - her first potentially fatal asthma attack.
Read more![Meet Alex Lawrie](https://thumbor.ixchosted.com/19oUZlQ0BxVyttnSyx-P0lsFV0k=/600x400/https://rfds-media.s3.amazonaws.com/dd/service/Alex-Lawrie.6d02.png?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIA57J6V557HP5WJ6WZ&Signature=k%2FR3dFuzIkp6MEul48sge2Hjsx4%3D&Expires=1722060902)
Chopper crash comeback: Alex's story
Alex Lawrie was living the dream as a helicopter tour pilot at Uluru, until an engine failure changed his life forever.
Read more![Station Communities](https://thumbor.ixchosted.com/wn5kf9ZeqH58NAEo0iVaZegfhS8=/600x400/https://rfds-media.s3.amazonaws.com/dd/service/Mental-Health-Training.5c20.png?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIA57J6V557HP5WJ6WZ&Signature=9JwXbXRpuEj2fK2wy2umaK%2BLuWw%3D&Expires=1722060902)
Mental health training out bush
The RFDS recently launched Mental Health First Aid training for remote communities, providing practical skills for outback residents and workers to support family and friends.
Read more![Shirley airlifted outback SA](https://thumbor.ixchosted.com/SxAoFlW4vW_KLwj9_I0bVdkMK_4=/600x400/https://rfds-media.s3.amazonaws.com/dd/service/Shirley.4573.png?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIA57J6V557HP5WJ6WZ&Signature=ELQ68rTtQlqags8hiuy548GTaLQ%3D&Expires=1722060902)
Mungerannie sliding doors: Shirley's story
Outback traveller Shirley shudders to think ‘what could’ve been’ if she did not have a retrieval team by her side when her body shut down.
Read more![RFDS oral health Mutitjulu](https://thumbor.ixchosted.com/JGIJJHEdVRVAfYgWCJO-k_xAS4U=/600x400/https://rfds-media.s3.amazonaws.com/dd/service/Mutitjulu.36db.png?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIA57J6V557HP5WJ6WZ&Signature=ERNJq4c3LVoZau6dtmpfhrlPcBI%3D&Expires=1722060902)
Healthy smiles, happy lives: Leroy's story
At the base of Uluru, the Flying Doctor is working together with the Aboriginal Community of Mutitjulu to promote healthy smiles and happy lives.
Read more![Meet Richard Hobbs](https://thumbor.ixchosted.com/gJq6ZU-_4uVbkkbSfkJQ5sOR_h0=/600x400/https://rfds-media.s3.amazonaws.com/dd/service/Richy.a29e.png?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIA57J6V557HP5WJ6WZ&Signature=Jq0L7gi0p9YM9V5v4yaRVS6lR7Q%3D&Expires=1722060902)
Down to the wire: Richy's story
A devastating fall from a ladder while on a job 540km north of Adelaide became a race against time for carpenter Richard Hobbs.
Read more![Badly broken, barely breathing](https://thumbor.ixchosted.com/LRuN_nz5k-RPNGwAFicVvPGc8Zw=/600x400/https://rfds-media.s3.amazonaws.com/dd/service/Phil.0586.png?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIA57J6V557HP5WJ6WZ&Signature=JomUCd0VniyuwrbUjv8kTp2DcMc%3D&Expires=1722060902)
Badly broken, barely breathing: Phil's story
When Phil Eley’s motorbike adventure went horribly wrong in the middle of outback Australia, his friends at the scene feared the worst.
Read more![Remote rescue](https://thumbor.ixchosted.com/i508RBqZLisB9Vzi17eWt3kq2NU=/600x400/https://rfds-media.s3.amazonaws.com/dd/service/Sonny.e69a.png?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIA57J6V557HP5WJ6WZ&Signature=RzvewG8JKWaizTZIXR%2FghCb7En4%3D&Expires=1722060902)
Remote rescue: Sonny's story
Young Sonny Driver was enjoying life on his family NT cattle station, when a serious injury threatened to change his life forever.
Read more![Rural mum's rare scare](https://thumbor.ixchosted.com/OdyY_hAJsUbAEo-upgB2pTi09no=/600x400/https://rfds-media.s3.amazonaws.com/dd/service/Anna.f238.png?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIA57J6V557HP5WJ6WZ&Signature=6Iv7ukA1aswTTOcnPTUSRO8H7fc%3D&Expires=1722060902)
Rural mum's rare scare: Anna's story
Pregnant with her second child, Anna Nunn was busy working on Wooltana Station in SA’s Far North when she received a distressing diagnosis.
Read more![RFDS Central Operations](https://thumbor.ixchosted.com/XWl0qfCCcWeaJMyod-zF1pecQ04=/600x400/https://rfds-media.s3.amazonaws.com/dd/service/Jo.0e2b.png?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIA57J6V557HP5WJ6WZ&Signature=X7YVOVNkZWfFl6R04UNmLJurSJQ%3D&Expires=1722060903)
A rural lifeline: Jo's story
As increasing emotional stress pushed outback station owner Jo French to breaking point, her family made a life-saving phone call.
Read more![Island resilience](https://thumbor.ixchosted.com/J8y5jE1qJnFva_eoEAo4Nr3CeIQ=/600x400/https://rfds-media.s3.amazonaws.com/dd/service/Galiwinku.1f7f.png?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIA57J6V557HP5WJ6WZ&Signature=%2Fpc0T%2Bxe7zHJrhz0nW2so9Vym50%3D&Expires=1722060903)
Galiwin’ku resilience: An island story
On the remote island of Galiwin’ku in the Top End, the Flying Doctor has been busy working with the community to combat COVID-19.
Read more![RFDS Central Operations Aeromedical Retrieval](https://thumbor.ixchosted.com/4RHRB295N44Ans6AVrWPA-uez7k=/600x400/https://rfds-media.s3.amazonaws.com/dd/service/Dr-James.9917.png?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIA57J6V557HP5WJ6WZ&Signature=NcSuhaCT4A46IZnOZBwh3yya3%2BE%3D&Expires=1722060903)
Aeromedical retrievals: Dr James' story
Dr James Padley sees first-hand how families and communities rally in times of emergency. He is part of the Flying Doctor crew airlifting more than 9,000 South Australians and Northern Territorians every year.
Read more![Primary Health Care RFDS Central Operations](https://thumbor.ixchosted.com/1lapMms4x0X48ZPsaI2YvyGRBsQ=/600x400/https://rfds-media.s3.amazonaws.com/dd/service/kirsty.d244.png?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIA57J6V557HP5WJ6WZ&Signature=78czbYTE4vwoEk%2F3uMmW53NlZQo%3D&Expires=1722060903)
Remote primary health care: Kirsty's story
Raising four kids, two litters of puppies and 5,500 head of cattle on more than 8,000sq km of pastoral property adds up to a remarkable life for Kirsty and Cameron Williams, RFDS clients living on The Peake Station in SA's Far North.
Read more