LIMESTONE Coast community members were flown sky high with knowledge over the weekend as one vital foundation relived the history of its services.
The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) committee showcased its lifesaving facilities at the Mount Gambier Spring Show featuring a replica simulator plane with real-life features of those used today.
RFDS Central Operations has been in existence since 1939 and is a key player in the delivery of 24/7 emergency aeromedical and essential primary health care services to people living, working and travelling in rural and remote south and central Australia.
“We are an essential assistant within hospital services flying patients that need emergency treatment to our four aeromedical bases at Darwin, Alice Springs, Port Augusta and Adelaide,” Mount Gambier support group president Bill Russon said.
“Just within Mount Gambier and surrounding areas, we deliver emergency patients up to twice a day on average.
“It is a critical function making transport to hospitals faster and easier.”
The RFDS is a not-for-profit organisation reliant on fundraising and donations to bridge the gap in operational funding and finance its capital-raising program for replacement aircraft, medical equipment and other major capital initiatives.
“There is a huge amount of money required with our current planes costing around $7m each,” Mr Russon said.
“Early next year our latest jet will arrive after a price tag of around $10m.”
Over Friday and Saturday, the service display received interest from people ranging from children to the elderly.
“I think the Mount Gambier community values the RFDS, it is clearly seen at just the sheer number of people that have gone through the simulator plane,” Mr Russon said.
“They actually use it to train nurses and it is great to see everyone interested in how it works.
“Although it is hard to imagine, but some people do not know much at all about the flying doctor and we just want to raise awareness about the amazing things we do on a daily basis.”
