Scott Chapman, who is CEO of the Royal Flying Doctor’s Victorian Section gave us a wonderful history lesson and inspired us with stories of what they do.
The RFDS was founded by the Rev John Flynn who came from Victoria. The early story is told on the $20 note.
Most people think that the RFDS is mainly “Swoop and Scoop” with planes rescuing people in the outback. It is much more. To keep operating, $50,000 per year must be raised by charitable donations to make up the shortfall from Government funding.
In Victoria, the RFDS works in partnership with several community health organisations across the State in rural communities. They encounter over 21,000 patients throughout Victoria. These services are provided from 13 bases in Victoria and is supported by aircraft at Essendon Airport.
Services that the RFDS provide in Victoria are:
Mobile Patient Care:
This service is a quality, efficient and caring non-emergency patient transport services for people who need to travel to hospital or to specialist care.
Mobile Dental Care:
Working with a team of dentists and dental assistants the Flying Doctor Dental Clinic is a purpose built mobile dental van that provides treatment to small rural communities throughout Victoria where distance from a public dental clinic is greater than 50kms.
Mobile Eye Care:
The program provides an eye clinic that travels to the regions of the Mallee, West Wimmera and East Gippsland and provides monthly visits in communities in these districts.
Flying Doctor Telehealth service:
It connects patients in rural Victorian communities with specialists in Melbourne.
Rural Women's GP Service:
Often women prefer to consult with a female doctor for a range of health issues. RFDS Victoria provides a Rural Women's GP service in small communities in the North West, North East and South East of Victoria.
The Rotary Clubs of Berwick and Narre Warren have supported the RFDS by sponsoring a team in the RFDS Outback Car Trek.
President Mark presented a cheque for $2000 from the RC Berwick. Scott accepted on behalf of “Team Black Cavalier”, of which our own David Nutter is a member.
They have already raised $32,473.75 for this years trek. All money raised goes directly to the Dr. The participants meet all car expenses.
Congratulations to our own Adrian Froggatt.
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