Royal Flying Doctor Service Tasmania continues to spread its wings, with the official opening ceremony for a new Hobart office taking place at Government House on Tuesday, February 5.
Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Kate Warner AC, Governor of Tasmania (RFDS Tasmania’s patron) and Mr Richard Warner hosted the official launch of the RFDS Tasmania Hobart office along with a presentation ceremony to scholarship recipients and long-term donors.
The new Hobart office, at 147 Davey St, Hobart, heralds the expansion of RFDS Tasmania services in the south following consolidation of the organisation’s primary healthcare strategy and extension of dental and primary healthcare services in regional and rural Tasmania.
Primary Health Tasmania has contracted RFDS Tasmania to provide primary healthcare in the southern regions of the Huon Valley, Tasman Peninsular and Bruny Island, adding to services already provided in the north of the state.
In another important milestone, Mr Dugald McDougall OAM, of Hobart, who has been a regular donor for more than 20 years, and Ms June Hughes, of Westerway, who has been a regular donor for more than 15 years, were recognised for their amazing dedication and support of the service.
RFDS Tasmania chair Malcolm White said that the RFDS is fortunate to have many generous donors.
“Some donors are individuals, some foundations, some are employers and businesses, and many are service clubs. Some give of their time as volunteers, some fundraise, some make provision in their wills and some give their money,” he said.
“We are humbled by their generosity as it makes our work possible.”
Three scholarship winners, who have recently returned from their RFDS placements in outback Australia, have received certificates and medallions.
Ashley Brown (Burnie), Fiona Beer (Hobart) and Christopher Harvey (Hobart) all received a 2018 RFDS Commercial Travellers Association 4th year Medical Student Scholarship.
Christopher was able to attend the Government House ceremony and not only receive his certificate from The Governor, but also give a visual presentation and tell an exciting story of his experience working alongside experienced medical professionals who fly into remote areas every day.
Christopher’s interest in rural health developed from the time he spent within an Aboriginal community in Kununurra in Western Australia and his experience of being in an isolated community with basic medical facilities.
After completing his schooling, Christopher worked as a station-hand in outback NSW. He has also undertaken a rural placement in Scottsdale as well as being a member of the Rural Health Society of Tasmanian Medical Students (Rustica).
