Final Message From Outgoing National Chair, Tim Fischer AC
Many Thanks and Have Those Many Health Checks!
It is with some sadness that I formally confirm I will step down as National Chair of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, during November 2008. This follows the unexpected posting to be Australia’s first ever Permanent Representative to the Holy See, announced by the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd at Mascot recently..jpg)
I am due to take up this position as Ambassador to the Nation State of The Vatican in Rome, in January 2009 and have advised the RFDS Board of my separation at the AGM and Board Meeting, to be held in Brisbane on 14 November 2008.
This timetable has allowed me to complete the RFDS 80th National Tour successfully, a tremendous outreach and networking to Dubbo, Broken Hill, Longreach, Mt Isa, Cloncurry, Alice Springs, Kalgoorlie, Meekatharra, Port Augusta, Launceston and Melbourne.
There is no doubt the spirit of John Flynn of the Inland is alive and well, after that very first RFDS flight out of Cloncurry in 1928. Qantas held the RFDS Operational Contract for the first 10 years, there after RFDS has been flying its own aircraft.
I am proud of the fact that across the four operational divisions (QLD, South Eastern, Central and Western), on an annual basis the RFDS treats around 250,000 patients and conducts and completes some 35,000 medical evacuations, right across Australia. .jpg)
Today Mental Health is a massively expanding problem and again, often with partners, the RFDS provides and supports many programs, such as Art Therapy and Mobile Field Days out of Longreach.
I want to express my sincere thanks to all who serve the RFDS in its 80th Anniversary year and I wish the RFDS the very best for the future, from the National Office Sydney to as far afield as RFDS Base Meekatharra.
As I depart, I am conscious of the fact that Health Education programs and prevention programs are vital to the equation today in saving lives and boosting longevity. My final thought is to appeal to all reading this farewell message to not put off regular health check- ups, but rather step up and have the prostate test and examination or the breast examination, too often deferred and delayed, please just do it and live longer!
Hon. Tim Fischer AC
Images from the Chairman's Tour 2008
Top right: Brother's Ben and Lachlan Widdicombe with Tim Fischer AC at Bansktown
Bottom right: The Chairman's tour depart from Bansktown's Airport