RFDS celebrates 80 years of saving lives
On 17 May 1928 the very first Flying Doctor flight took off from Cloncurry, Queensland to answer a call for help from the remote town of Julia Creek. On board the De Havilland, a single engine, fabric covered bi-plane called ‘Victory’,was the first Flying Doctor, Dr Kenyon St Vincent Welch, and the first Flying Doctor pilot, Captain Arthur Affleck..jpg)
On that day, the Reverend John Flynn’s extraordinary vision to alleviate the isolation and suffering of people living in the harsh outback became reality and a quintessential part of the fabric of Australia.
In 2008, we celebrate not only Flynn’s dream but the incredible technological advances in medicine, aviation and communications which have allowed the Flying Doctor to bring the Bush and coastal cities closer. We also celebrate the spirit of Australians whose courage continues to inspire the RFDS to provide the best quality medical care to those who live, work and travel in the Outback. But, most importantly, we celebrate the dedication of our supporters whose continued generosity ensures that the ‘mantle of safety’ that Flynn dreamed about exists for all Australians, 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year.
In 1928, thanks to a generous bequest made by one man, Hugh Victor McKay, one aircraft took flight with one doctor and one pilot to one destination. Today, as you read your newsletter, there will be up to 47 aircraft taking flight with any one of our 700 staff on board to destinations across 80% Australia to provide vital, free aeromedical services… thanks to you!
The late Reverend Fred McKay said, “Flynn would be amazed by the modern developments in aero-medicine and satellite communications. He would be satisfied that enthusiastic successors are not resting on old laurels but are forging ahead to make the Mantle of Safety increasingly relevant to modern needs.”