XML FeedsRoyal Flying Doctor Service
Access to inland Australia has been significant in the growth of Australia. Exploration, farming, mining and war defence were originally the most common needs for in-land travel, but tourism has continued to grow over the years.
As I do more and more reading of Australian history, I'm discovering some classic Australian stories. There are many, like that of Ivan Frederiks AKA Russian Jack who in 1885 wheeled his injured mate 300km in a wheel-barrow from Halls Creek to the nearest medical help in Wyndham.
Amazing stories like that above are just the tip of the iceberg. Please, if you have the time, have a read about the history of the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Communication and access to any medical facilities were woefully inadequate in in-land Australia at the turn of the 20th century. So often sickness which even in that era could otherwise be treated, often resulted in death because of delays in treatment or treatment by unqualified or under-qualified practitioners.
At the time, the vision of Reverend John Flynn, Clifford Peel, Alf Traeger, aided no doubt by countless other generous contributors saw the establishment and growth of this not-for-profit organisation which today is the longest serving and most comprehensive aero-medical service in the world.
Did you know John Flynn features on the Australian $20 note?
Being a pilot myself, I find this simply amazing given how few reference points there are out west (Reference - RFDS website):
The first Flying Doctor pilot, Arthur Affleck, had no navigational aids, no radio and only a compass and inadequate maps, if any. He navigated by landmarks such as fences, rivers, river beds, dirt roads or just wheel tracks and telegraph lines. He also flew in an open cockpit, fully exposed to the weather, behind the doctor's cabin. Airstrips were, at best claypans or, at the worst, hastily cleared paddocks.
It is truly inspirational how the dedicated work of a few have lead to the establishment and growth of this not-for-profit organisation to the point where today, the RFDS assure that no-one in Australia is more than 2 hours away from medical care.
One thing is for sure ... I am going to very much enjoy a visit to the RFDS Museum in Alice Springs before I commence my ride. It'll be terrific knowing I'm doing my little bit to contribute to such a great cause. Please help me achieve the fund-raising goal of $30,000 for the RFDS, and make a contribution by double-clicking the RFDS logo at the top of the side-bar. This link will take you through to the RFDS online donation page. Your contributions will go towards the cost of medically-equipped RFDS aircraft. You'll be helping to keep the Flying Doctor flying!
Did you know that in the financial year ending 30 June 2008, the RFDS performed nearly 36,000 aero-medical evacuations, and assisted patients on more than 260,000 occasions through aeromedical flights and healthcare clinics?
