Story Map

RFDS TV Show Behind the Scenes

Our Mobile Dental Clinic

This is RFDS Tasmania

Courtney's 2021 RFDS Scholarship Experience

From the archive - Flight "South West" c1961

Outback Explorer Competition winner

RFDS Dental Service

You can't predict when an emergency will happen

RFDS (Queensland Section) Flight Nurse Robyn Langton

RFDS (Queensland Section) Dr Charles Ellis

Harriet from RFDS Tasmania's Physical Health Team

The Royal Flying Doctor Service in Tasmania delivers physical and mental health services to our rural and remote communities. Often visiting our farmers and graziers in Tasmania's high country for health and wellbeing check ups that would be otherwise inaccessible due to distance and terrain. 

Phil and Digger wait for RFDS Tasmania's Mental Health Hub Bus

With most of Tasmania classified as rural or remote, many communities rely on the Royal Flying Doctor Service for essential physical, mental and dental health care. 

Our health hub buses travel great distances, on tough roads to reach those who need us, including Phil and his pup, Digger. 

The RFDS Tasmania Educational Simulator

Our own educational simulator was acquired in March 2024, with a generous grant from the Tasmanian Community Fund. It lives at our hangar in Western Junction but can be seen making its way across the state visiting schools and community events to demonstrate the work RFDS does all over Australia. 

The RFDS Tasmania education program provides a interactive and engaging experience for students. It allows them to hear stories and experience a unique education experience.

RFDS Tasmania's Mobile Dental Clinic

With generous support from Woolnorth Renewables, RFDS Tasmania have been able to reach more communities with a second dental health van. 

Delivering vital dental health support to communities on the North West, West, and now North East and East coasts of Tasmania, Central Midlands, Highlands and south down to Dover, we can reduce waitlists across the state and return quality of life to many.

RFDS Tasmania's Mental Health Program

RFDS Tasmania delivered 997 adult and 2,951 youth mental health consultations across 10 local government areas in the 2023/24 financial year.

Birtles & Bean Complete Their Epic Journey raising funds for the RFDS

An extraordinary journey has not only retraced history but also raised over $120,000 for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS). 

Daily Telegraph Editor-at-Large Matthew Benns and cartoonist Warren Brown embarked on the Birtles & Bean adventure, following the legendary 1927 trek of Australian explorer Francis Birtles, who became the first person to drive from Darwin to Melbourne in a Bean 14 Sundowner. Birtles, a pioneering motorist, adventurer, and photographer, defied the odds, navigating rugged terrain and vast distances with little infrastructure, proving that the Australian outback could be conquered by motor vehicle. 

His journey remains a symbol of resilience, exploration, and the determination to push boundaries—values that continue to inspire Australians today. Matthew and Warren’s journey honoured this pioneering spirit while serving a critical purpose—raising funds to support the Royal Flying Doctor Service, which has been providing essential healthcare to remote and rural communities since 1928. 

Their adventure captured national attention, as they faced their own challenges, from navigating harsh conditions to ensuring their historic vehicle mirrored the authenticity of Birtles’ original trek. 

By successfully completing the journey, they not only celebrated Australia’s motoring and exploration history but also contributed to the future of rural healthcare, ensuring that people in the most isolated parts of the country have access to life-saving medical assistance.

For the community, driven by the community

With the assistance of Flying Doctor Community Transport, South Gippsland man, Warren Peart, was able to remain living at home – in the community he loves - whilst undergoing essential, daily cancer treatment 100 kilometres away.

Going Above and Beyond

Securely seated in the back of the RFDS Beechcraft 350 aircraft, Flight Nurse Andie Duronjic is a comforting and extremely skilled presence for patients being transported in the air by the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Victoria. She joins the latest cohort of flight nurses inducted into Hangar 85 as the service expands its capabilities to connect even more country Victorians to the care they need.

RFDS Ambassador Georgie Somerset AM

RFDS (Queensland Section) Chair, Georgie Somerset, is a beef producer and rural leader with experience in agribusiness, rural tourism, and regional development. Her work involves identifying and advocating opportunities, resolving issues, and creating linkages and networks across rural sectors.

RFDS Ambassador Dalene Wray

Dalene grew up in Birdsville, a small outback town in Western Queensland and is the Managing Director of OBE Organic. She started her career as a radiographer and has spent half of her working career working and studying overseas. Dalene is passionate about improving the sustainability of Australian agriculture.

RFDS Ambassadors Ian and Jane Campbell

Ian and Jane Campbell have had a long-shared passion for aviation and sustainable agriculture. As Manana Pastoral, they operate properties in St George, Goondiwindi and New South Wales. Both obtained their pilot's licence in 2000 after learning to fly for their honeymoon. To support the RFDS, Ian flew in the 2022 Outback Air Race and raised more than $75,000.

Building sustainable health models alongside communities

“It started out as a conversation,” Dr Neyland reveals of the Flying Doctor’s acquisition of her GP clinic. “I just thought RFDS would be a good fit for the community.”

“Robinvale is a struggling community in many different aspects, and it was good to have someone who has a purpose about providing services in rural and remote areas and that’s their business model, that’s their core work – I thought it would be a really good fit.”

Prior to acquiring the clinic, RFDS Victoria was already well established within the Robinvale community, offering existing Rural Women's GP, speech therapy and telehealth services.

It had all the makings of a successful service.

Bringing Hopetoun care

For more than twenty-years, Melbourne based general practitioner, Dr Susan Lewis has travelled to Hopetoun - a small agricultural town in Victoria’s Wimmera Mallee region – to give women in the country the choice to see a consistent female GP, close to home.

Flying Doctor Speech therapist, Lisa Armitage, with Tanika and Paige White

Tanika White, a mother of three from Wedderburn, Victoria, says the transformative impact Flying Doctor Speech Therapy has had on her daughter, Paige, is indescribable. Initially discovered through kindergarten assessments, speech therapy has improved Paige's clarity and confidence, enabling her to verbally communicate as she starts school. The free sessions, led by RFDS Victoria speech therapist Lisa Armitage, are play-based and pressure-free, enhancing learning and pronunciation. The sessions are held in the White's rural community, saving financial and time constraints that would otherwise prevent the family from accessing this crucial resource. In mum Tanika's words, if not for this service, her daughter "would've slipped through the cracks".

A story of survival

When Craig suffered a cardiac arrest in the middle of the outback his friends called the RFDS in a fight to save his life. The 53-year-old aviation mechanic was volunteering at the Cancer Council Shitbox Rally in June when he collapsed while walking back to his campsite. Thanks to the first aid he received from the event support crew, his friends and the RFDS Mount Isa team, Craig shares his story of survival.

RFDS Dental Service

Since 2013, the RFDS Dental Service has delivered dental care from a purpose-built mobile dental surgery unit to towns in regional, rural and remote Queensland. The service offers preventive care and treatment for a range of oral health conditions at no cost to the patient. This service is supported by QCoal Group, QCoal Foundation and the Australian Government.

RFDS Radio Queensland - Connecting Outback Communities

RFDS Radio Queensland - Connecting Outback Communities is an online streaming service dedicated to sharing the vital work of the Flying Doctor and more importantly, the positive impact RFDS makes in regional, rural and remote communities. Just like a normal streaming radio channel it includes news, weather, stories from our people and of course, music.

Brisbane Broncos 2025 Charity Partner

The RFDS (Queensland Section) is proud to become an official Charity Partner with Brisbane Broncos in a bid to raise vital funds for the Service. The 2025 Brisbane Broncos Charity Partner Program, sponsored by loans.com.au, supports 12 local charities all with the same mission: to fundraise for their cause through the popular 50-50 Charity Raffle.

Enabling life in rural Queensland

For Andrea and her family, having access to regular clinics and emergency retrieval services is crucial for their work and family life in remote Queensland. Whether it's a workplace accident, a car rollover, or a sudden fever in an infant, the Flying Doctor is just a phone call away. 

Operational Control Centre

The RFDS (Queensland Section) Operational Control Centre (OCC) provides a centralised strategic maagnement of all RFDS assets to support aeromedical taskings. Staff around the clock by experts in the field, the Centre has access to a constant stream of real-time data from bases, aircraft and personnel to provide 24/7 support to clinical crews.

Aeromedical Training Academy

The RFDS (Queensland Section) Aeromedical Training Academy is located adjacent to the RFDS Bundaberg base and houses the only Beechcraft King Air Pro Line Fusion Full-Flight Simulator (FFS) in Australia. RFDS pilots from across Queensland will spend at least two weeks at the training facility each year, while non-RFDS pilots will also be able to use the simulator for their endorsements or recurrent training on all King Air variant B260/B350/B360 and B360Q aircraft.

RFDS Visitor Centre

The RFDS has a number of Visitor Centres around the country where you can visit to learn more about the work of the Flying Doctor. Stop into our RFDS Visitor Centre in Charleville, located directly next to our RFDS Charleville Base. The centre provides a range of interactive experiences where you can learn about the rich history of the world's first aeromedical organisation.

headspace Cairns

The RFDS (Queensland Section) is the lead agency for headspace Cairns, a service providing youth mental health and counselling services. The service supports people aged 12 to 25, and remains one of the busiest centres nationally.

RFDS Ambassador Emeritus Professor Robert Stable AM

Emeritus Professor Stable joined the Board in March 2012 and is currently a member of the Health Advisory Committee. His former roles include Vice-Chancellor and President of Bond University, Director-General of Queensland Health, General Practitioner and Flying Doctor.

RFDS (Queensland Section) Primary Health Care

The RFDS (Queensland Section) is one of the largest primary health care providers in Australia, that fly out from Cairns to provide GP and nursing clinics, child and maternal healthcare, mental health services, as well as oral health right across the state. The services are delivered by multidisciplinary teams including: general practitioners; nurses; allied health professionals; and other health personnel including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers, and health promotion and community development officers. These services are vital to rural and remote communities and are providing holistic and preventative care to patients to reduce their need for a specialist or emergency retrieval.

RFDS Medical Chest

This is an RFDS Medical Chest at Marion Downs Station in Western Queensland. Our RFDS Medical Chests are a secure medication kit stocked with life-saving medications and medical supplies for emergencies. There are more than 1,200 medical chests distributed across the state.  When time is critical, people can call RFDS, open their Medical Chest and get help from a Medical Officer over the phone, and an emergency aeromedical retrieval will be tasked if required. RFDS is there every step of the way.  

RFDS Ambassador Steve Price OAM

Steve, better known as ‘Pricey’, was the breakfast radio host of Townsville Triple M for 32 years. In recognition of his service to the community through is radio career, he was awarded the Medal of The Order of Australia (OAM) in 2018. Steve has passionately supported the RFDS through a variety of fundraising events in North Queensland as an event MC and renowned radio host.

RFDS Ambassador Hon. Bruce Scott AM

The Hon. Bruce Scott joined the Board as a Casual Director in 2016 after an extensive parliamentary career. Bruce was elected to the House of Representatives as the Federal Member for Maranoa in from 1990 until 2016 and during this time held many ministerial positions.

RFDS Ambassador Dan Walker

Dan Walker (Outback Dan) was born and bred in Longreach. He owns and manages an Agri-Tourism business that brings city folk to the bush. Dan has seen firsthand how vital the RFDS service is in providing emergency response and health care to remote communities. Dan is humbled and honoured to be an RFDS Ambassador to help raise awareness about the Flying Doctor to ensure the spirit of care and support is echoed across Australian skies.

RFDS Ambassador Wudarabin Snider

Wudarabin Snider is an Aboriginal artist, who has previously created artwork depicting the values of the RFDS (Queensland Section). Her artwork titled "Lores" shares the story of the Flying Doctor's values. Wudarabin is currently studying at James Cook University to become an art teacher.

RFDS Ambassador Tanya O'Shea

Tanya is a business and community leader, with more than two decades of experience working in the not-for-profit sector at an executive level. As the Managing Director of IMPACT Community Services, Tanya has developed programs across the Wide Bay- Burnett region tailored to respond to service gaps. Tanya is focused on improving outcomes for her local community and is strongly committed to mental health initiatives.

RFDS Ambassadors Don and Lyn Rowlands

Don and Lyn are from Birdsville and are passionate about preserving the history of the Simpson Desert and the Wangkangurru people. Don is a well-known Ranger who is in charge of the Simpson Desert Munga-Thirri National Park and an Elder of the Wangkangurru people while Lyn runs the Karrawa Wirinya Coffee shop in town.

RFDS Ambassador Tony Toholke

Tony “TONKA” Toholke is a passionate member of the Mount Isa Community and a proud supporter of the RFDS (Queensland Section), committed to championing men’s mental health. TONKA was named the 2022 North Queensland Volunteer of the Year and 2023 Spirit of Mount Isa.

RFDS Ambassador Sandy Gillies

Sandy Gillies, a proud Gunggari woman, is currently the CEO of Western Queensland Primary Health Network. Sandy is passionate about improving health outcomes for Western Queenslanders, with extensive experience working in the healthcare industry throughout rural and remote Queensland.

RFDS Ambassador Russell Postle AM

Russell is a member of the RFDS (Queensland Section) Board and was Chair from 2019 until 2023. He is also Chairman of the Finance and Audit Committee and was a partner at BDO with experience providing audit, business advisory and specialist taxation consulting services to a range of clients.

RFDS Ambassador Kylee Tindale-Smith

Born and bred in Charleville, Kylee Tindale-Smith owns and operates e-commerce business Gidgee Smith Bags and Gidgee's Bush Camp. A long-time supporter of the Flying Doctor, Kylee uses her platform to promote important conversations on rural mental health and wellness.

RFDS Ambassador Sam Hughes

Sam Hughes (The Travelling Jackaroo) is travelling around Australia in a 1957 Chamberlain 9G tractor to raise funds for the RFDS (Queensland Section). Sam has decked out a bright orange tractor called ‘Slim' and hitched up a trailer with the body of a small RFDS aircraft replica on top.

RFDS Aeromedical Simulator

This is our RFDS aeromedical simulator touring Mount Isa. The sim is a full replica of the King Air B200. RFDS Community Engagement Officers John and Kym tour across the state with the simulator in tow to give members of the community, school students and local organisations a chance to experience what it's like inside an RFDS aircraft flying a life-saving mission in regional, rural and remote Queensland.

Outback adventure ends with flight home by the Flying Doctor

You never know when you might need a service you've never used before. That was the situation for Luke, a senior corporate executive in Brisbane, whose brief adventure in the outback led to his first call to the Flying Doctor. After spending over 15 years in his corporate role, Luke was eager for a change. The opportunity to muster on a family member’s remote cattle station seemed like the perfect escape from his usual routine. On day four, Luke was on horseback when his horse got spooked and threw him off. In an instant, Luke was on the ground, disoriented and in severe pain, struggling to understand what had happened, where he was and who was around him. The ringers acted swiftly, calling for an ambulance and reaching out to the Royal Flying Doctor Service for urgent help. The station’s runway was quickly cleared of cattle and horses and graded, allowing the RFDS aircraft to land safely on the property. With his newfound understanding and deep appreciation for the service, Luke can’t imagine what he would have done without the RFDS.

Family holiday gone wrong

In the blink of an eye, a family adventure turned into a nightmare when seven-year-old Asher was bitten on the leg by a shark near Lockhart River. Luckily, the family were able to access the Lockhart River Primary Health Care Clinic and be flown to Cairns Hospital for emergency surgery.

RFDS Ambassador Emma Jackson

Emma lives on a cattle station in the Cape York peninsula, and as such is very familiar with the RFDS. After saving her friend’s life on the station, she was crowned the 2022 RFDS Queensland Hero and was awarded a grant to support her mental health initiatives in Cape York. This ignited the Horse Wisdom Program which she runs at the station while raising four children and volunteering for her community.