Celebrating 90 years of the Royal Flying Doctor Service

Royal Flying Doctors - The Royal Flying Doctors Service (RFDS) is celebrating 90 years of service this year. The medical lifesaving service is still as invaluable and utterly necessary as it was when the RFDS was first launched back in 1928. Explore the fascinating facts, figures and achievements this amazing service has achieved over its lifetime.

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Flying founder - The Reverend John Flynn worked in rural and remote areas of Victoria and was commissioned by the Presbyterian Church to look at the needs of outback people.

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Aim high - In 1928, he formed the AIM Aerial Medical Service, a one-year experiment based in Cloncurry, Queensland. This experiment later became The Royal Flying Doctor Service.

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Money - Reverend John Flynn's contribution to Australian history is considered so great his face is even featured on the $20 note.

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1994 - The Australian Council Office collaborated with the Reserve Bank of Australia on the design of the Australian twenty dollar note, to feature the face of the Reverend John Flynn.

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Amazing facts - According to the RFDS website, they are helping people in need every two minutes of every single day.

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Year stats - They've had 336,358 patient contacts through RFDS clinics, aeromedical transports and telehealth consultations over the past year.

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Rural - 88,541 patients in rural and remote areas have accessed their telehealth services.

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Helping hand - 17,094 Nurse, GP and dental clinics were conducted across Australia by the RFDS.

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Air miles - Last year the RFDS fleet of 69 aircraft flew 26,412,555 kilometres throughout Australia.

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Moon - According to their website, that's the equivalent of 34 trips to the moon and back or more than 600 flights around the Earth.

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Base - The medical service has a total of 24 air bases ready to rescue those in trouble.

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Australia - Australia is an absolute huge landmass to cover, spanning 7.7 million square kilometres.

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Outback - One-third of Australia's population lives in rural and remote Australia making a healthcare and emergency service vital for those that live, work and travel in the outback.

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Rural - That's the equivalent of 8 million people residing in rural and outback Australia.

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Fundraising - The flying service relies heavily on public donations.

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Desert fun - There has been no end of wild and wacky events and costumes people have worn in order to raise funds for the service, including this desert drag race.

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Praise - Prince Charles has praised the work of the Royal Flying Doctor Service as “one of the great things about Australia” in a 2016 charity event.

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Unveil - During his most recent visit to Australia in April of this year, Prince Charles unveiled a new aircraft for the Royal Flying Doctor Service during his visit to Cairns.

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Angel - The Royal revealed the name of the B350 Super King Air, Outback Angel, at the special ceremony.

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Patron - Prince Charles said he was proud to be a patron of the RFDS.

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Friends - The Prince of Wales serves as patron of the Friends of the Royal Flying Doctors, a UK-based group that raises funds overseas for the organisation.

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Legal - The RFDS is made up of seven legal entities – National Office, Central Operations, Queensland Section, South Eastern Section, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Operations.

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Operation - The RFDS operates in a federated structure and each of the seven entities has its own Board and Management. Each entity operates independently, both financially and operationally.

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Events - The RFDS has many events and people are encouraged to get involved, here is one to consider.

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Outback Car Trek 2018 - Drive from Tamworth, NSW to Airlie Beach, QLD between June 2-9 and raise funds for the service, whilst making friends and seeing the beautiful scenery.

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Birthday present - The RFDS recently bought itself a $12 million present to celebrate its 90th birthday.

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Swiss made - It purchased a single-engine Pilatus PC-24 and is currently being built in Switzerland.

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Timing - The plane promises to cut flying time for emergencies by half.

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Fast - The 7m-long jet is designed to travel at up to 787km/h, has a travel range of about 3600km and reaches a top altitude of 45,000ft.

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Delivery - The jet is scheduled to arrive at the service’s Adelaide Airport base later this year in time for the anniversary celebrations.

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Happy - Happy 90th birthday, Royal Flying Doctor Service!

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