FORMER zoologist and avid photographer Doctor Mike Bruorton has produced a 2019 calendar featuring stunning wildlife images he and wife Penny captured during an extended safari in Southern Africa.
The Hawkins Medical Clinic GP sold around 400 copies of a similar calendar last year, raising $2600 for the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).
This year all proceeds will be donated to the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) via the Mount Gambier RFDS Support Group.
“We had a discussion about who to donate to this year and it was pretty unanimous among the staff – everybody thought the RFDS was the best service,” Dr Bruorton said.
“It is something all of us might need any day and we know lots of patients who have used the service so that is very special to us.
“I worked in the emergency department for quite a while where I helped people onto the planes, so I understand how vital the service is.”
Dr Bruorton recalled a conversation he had about the RFDS during his first week working in paediatrics in Mount Gambier.
“I asked a nurse ‘how long does it take to get help here?’ because I was alarmed wondering what would happen if a baby was born and was really unwell,” he said.
“She gave me an example of an emergency labour a few months earlier, she had called for help from the RFDS as they took this lady to theatre and they hardly got the baby out before the RFDS arrived.
“I still remember that made me feel a lot better – knowing if it is something really urgent they will get here quickly.”
Mount Gambier RFDS Support Group chair Bill Russon said two flights serviced the city every day.
“It is approximately two flights a day into Mount Gambier now,” Mr Russon said.
“For seven years in a row the RFDS has been voted as the most reputable charity, many people see it as a very good cause.
“It is wonderful to support local services – we love to see fundraising efforts benefit the community more directly.
“The RFDS is bringing in new planes, a PC-24 jet will halve the time to every destination in Australia.”
