2018 is the 90th year of the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
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On May 9 there are 25 antique planes from the Antique Aeroplane Association of Australia taking flight on a 9-day pilgrimage across rural NSW & QLD to celebrate 90 years of the Flying Doctor, accompanied by an RFDS escort plane.
Starting in Dubbo, and then travelling to Moree, Roma, Charleville, Winton, Longreach, Cloncurry, Julia Creek and then finally to Mount Isa, this journey is a celebration of the communities that are serviced by the Flying Doctor. It includes many events with local community associations such as the Country Women’s Association, Rotary, Lions groups and the local aero-clubs.
Local councils/shires have been very supportive and schools, along with the general public have all been invited to come and enjoy the planes, the stories, and the events.
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Dates of visits
Embarking on a pilgrimage across NSW and QLD - 25 Antique Aircrafts will be flying through the sky.
The route is as follows:
May 9: Dubbo NSW - Moree, NSW
May 10: Moree, NSW - Roma, QLD
May 11: Roma, QLD - Charleville, QLD
May 13: Charleville, QLD - Longreach, QLD
May 15: Longreach, QLD - Winton, QLD
May 16: Winton, QLD - Cloncurry, QLD
May 17: Cloncurry, QLD - Julia Creek - Mt Isa, QLD
Facts about the RFDS
The Royal Flying Doctor Service has come a long way in 90 years. From a single leased Qantas plane in 1928, today they have a fleet of 69 planes, 115 road service vehicles and 1,400 professionals delivering emergency medical and primary health services across the country.
Every day the Flying Doctor:
- Aeromedically evacuates 101 people to a tertiary hospital
- Transports 193 patients by road for specialist care
- Delivers 48 GP and Nurse clinics in rural and remote communities
- Delivers 30 dental consultations with fly-in fly-out or drive-in drive-out services
- Cares for 243 patients with telehealth consultations
The milestone of 90 years is an opportunity to acknowledge that the need for health services in country Australia is just as real today as it was when Reverend John Flynn first set out to create ‘a mantle of safety’ in the 1920’s.
The disparity in health outcomes between bush and city still exists. Country Australians see the doctor at half the rate, the dentist at one third the rate, and mental health specialists at one fifth the rate of city people.
The Flying Doctor works tirelessly to improve disparities in health outcomes for those in the bush and it is likely for this reason Australians have expressed their trust in the RFDS and ranked the Flying Doctor as the most reputable Australian charity for the seventh year in a row.
The purpose of all 90th year activities is to thank supporters, communities, volunteers and staff for their ongoing efforts, which keep the Flying Doctor flying.
The Flying Doctor was created out of need in country Australia and continues today to fill a need.
