The Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) (RFDS) today welcomed a new $3 million commitment from QCoal Foundation for a new world-class aviation training facility in Bundaberg.
The Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) (RFDS) today welcomed a new $3 million commitment from QCoal Foundation for a new world-class aviation training facility in Bundaberg.
The new facility will be constructed next to the existing RFDS Bundaberg Base and house the only full-motion Beechcraft King Air B350/360 Fusion flight training simulator outside of the United States.
RFDS (Queensland Section) Chief Executive Officer Meredith Staib thanked QCoal Foundation for their continued and substantial support of the Flying Doctor.
“The B360 aircraft will be introduced into our fleet this year, and the new facility will support the ongoing training of our highly-skilled pilots and pilots from right across Australia and Asia,” she said.
“Today’s announcement is an extension of our long-standing partnership with QCoal Foundation and further evidence of their commitment to supporting health outcomes for regional Queensland and beyond.
“With $15 million in support from the Australian Government already committed to the facility, under the Hinkler Regional Deal and administered through the Community Development Grants Programme, this additional funding will help secure the future of this essential project for Queensland and Australia.”
Chair Christopher Wallin said the QCoal Foundation was delighted to be forming a new social venture partnership with the RFDS that was also another example of Government, philanthropy and not-for-profit collaboration.
“Like our work with the RFDS Dental Service, we are extremely proud to again be partnering with the RFDS to deliver a ‘first of its kind’ initiative which will deliver enormous benefit to regional Queensland,” he said.
“This is about much more than frontline health service delivery, this initiative will support economic diversification in the Bundaberg region and will provide a sustainable commercial opportunity for the RFDS.”
Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt welcomed today's announcement and congratulated QCoal Foundation on its continued support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
"The Royal Flying Doctor Service plays a vital role in the provision of health services in regional Queensland and right around Australia,” he said.
"We already have the joint RFDS and LifeFlight aeromedical base here in Bundaberg and both organisations have strong links to the Wide Bay Burnett region.
"Through the Hinkler Regional Deal I was able to secure $15 million for the aviation training facility and it will see RFDS pilots from all over the country come to Bundaberg for their training.
"It will not only give the local economy a boost through construction of the facility, but will also provide local jobs and approximately 1,100 extra accommodation nights in the region."
