Stronger Together - OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE WESTERN AUSTRALIA
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OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE
ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
AUTUMN 2021
Stronger Together
In this Stronger Together
edition Thanks to generous people like you, the Royal
Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) will be ready to
bring the finest care to the furthest corners of our
vast state no matter what challenges we face.
With support from the WA community amid
Nullarbor a global pandemic, our dedicated crews
road landing 3 adapted, innovated and faced the challenges
caused by COVID-19 with a determination I was humbled by.
Family’s dream holiday
up in smoke 4 Armed with extra training, new protocols, and a patient-first approach,
we continued retrieving patients in times of emergency and provided
Meet the newest the finest care to more than 9,000 people.
member of our fleet 6 After recording the busiest year in our long history, we started 2021
with another challenge – a fire at our Broome base. Most importantly
Dream job
in the Top End 8 no one was hurt. Despite the damage, our planes weren’t affected and
there was no impact to our critical 24/7 service for Kimberley patients.
Broome base fire 9 Our RFDS crew in Broome and across the organisation worked tirelessly
to ensure there was no impact to patient response during and since the
What’s on? fire. This has only been possible due to the incredible work ethic of our
Flying Doctor Day 10 entire workforce and their dedication to the people we serve.
As we approach the 93rd anniversary of our first flight, I reflect on
Devoted career 12 how much the Flying Doctor has grown and the hurdles we have
overcome. Our fleet continues to grow, we embrace new technology
Recipes from
the Goldfields 13 and constantly innovate to combat the tyranny of distance. One thing
has not changed, our determination to provide a mantle of safety to
everyone who lives, works and travels across Australia.
Urgent flight
for baby Grace 14 Together with support from the Australian community, we deliver on
the quintessential sense of what it means to be Australian – that a mate
Support your is going to be there when you need them most.
Flying Doctor 15 Thanks to your generosity and the dedication of RFDS crews, we will
continue to innovate and adapt to the changing world, to bring the
Cover photo: RFDS Dr Leesa Equid finest care wherever it is needed.
(left) and Flight Nurse Rachel Dawe Whatever challenges this year may throw at us, I am confident that with
(right) arriving at Cherrabun Pastoral
Station in the remote Kimberley to you by our side, the Flying Doctor will go from strength to strength.
deliver a GP clinic to residents in the Together we are stronger.
surrounding area. Photo captured by
pilot John Matthews. Best wishes
Acknowledgements: Thank you to the
patients, RFDS employees and members
of our community for the photographs
and stories in this publication.
Thank you
Rebecca Tomkinson to everyone w
CEO, Royal Flying Doctor Service WA ho
sent messages
of
support to the
RFDS crews ov
er
Christmas.
Thank you for bringing help closer last Christmas
With your support last Christmas, our lifesaving
care was carried far and wide across the state to 347
people who needed us. patients cared for
From 24 December to 4 January, RFDS crews
touched the lives of 347 patients in need of our care.
296,000
kilometres flown
Some of the reasons we were needed include;
motor vehicle accidents, snake bites, burns, a heart
attack, a diving incident and neonatal transfers.
821
hours travelled
2
NULLARBOR
road landing
I
t’s not every day the Royal Springing into action, Richard’s RFDS General Manager James
Flying Doctor Service in WA colleagues contacted the local Sherriff said “This is just one great
performs an emergency road nursing post who worked to example where everyone gave
landing on the Nullarbor. stabilise his condition while their all for the patient. It was a
But when the RFDS received a call waiting for the RFDS to arrive. massive team effort to make this
for help to retrieve Eucla police With the local airstrip waterlogged retrieval happen.”
officer Richard Buchanan who was due to heavy rain, a mercy flight Today, Richard has retired after
suffering a stroke on the WA/SA to land on the Eyre Highway was 40 years of service and has
border, there was no other option. declared. relocated to Perth. He says the
It seemed like just another day at Back at the RFDS’ 24-hour incident has prompted him to not
work for Richard as he met travellers Coordination Centre, logisticians take his health for granted.
at the border crossing’s Command worked with multiple agencies to Last year the RFDS responded
Centre in August last year. close the road and ensure RFDS to 267 emergency retrievals for
Just hours after commencing crews could land safely. stroke patients across WA.
his shift, Richard collapsed and Concurrently, the RFDS liaised
was unable to move after suffering with stroke specialists in Perth
a stroke. to ensure Richard could access
What transpired next was a time- immediate treatment upon arrival. 1,428km
Perth Eucla
critical mission by WA health and Four days later, Richard walked out
emergency services to coordinate of hospital with zero neurological
a road landing on the Nullarbor deficits.
to extract and retrieve Richard
to Perth. “The RFDS being able Bring
“I was processing some paperwork to evacuate me to care closer
when it suddenly felt like my body Perth literally meant
was weighing over to one side and
I couldn’t hold myself up,” he said.
the difference between When time is of the
life and death in that essence your donations
“It was pretty scary not being able
help bring care closer.
to move and I knew something moment,” he said.
wasn’t quite right. I had no idea “When you live remotely, you With your support,
what was going to happen next.” have a greater appreciation of the Flying Doctor is
Time was of the essence and how vital volunteers are to their there to help someone
Richard needed to get to Perth, communities and how to work facing a time-critical
1,428km away, to access specialist with what you’ve got. I am grateful medical emergency.
care quickly. to everyone who assisted me.”
Donate at: rfdswa.com.au
3
Outside, it was pandemonium.
In an overwhelming display of
the Aussie community spirit,
bystanders worked to put out
the fire and grabbed any bottled
water they could find to douse
their burns.
At the local nursing post, their
burns were assessed as severe with
the closest specialist treatment
available in Perth.
Crew from the RFDS were tasked
to respond and fly the family to
Fiona Stanley Hospital’s burns
unit more than 1,100km away –
a journey that would’ve taken
more than 11 hours by road.
“I had no idea what to expect,
Santo Borrello suffered third degree burns and required urgent transfer. what was going to happen, what
the RFDS was or how much it was
going to cost our family. I was
FAMILY’S
incredibly stressed as I had no
idea how we were going to pay for
the RFDS,” Kaitlyn said, originally
from the US.
DREAM
“It was a relief to everyone
when the RFDS crew walked in.
They immediately took charge of
the situation and jumped straight
into helping set Santo’s shoulder
HOLIDAY
which he dislocated while trying
to escape.”
Kaitlyn remembers feeling
up in smoke reassured by the calm and caring
nature of the RFDS crew who
explained what was happening
with Santo’s treatment and joked
with the kids to help calm them
down. The crew were also able
K
to ensure the whole family were
aitlyn Borrello’s ears were A calm afternoon lunch at a
able to fly down together.
ringing. Her upper body was local caravan park turned into a
covered in burns and her son terrifying ordeal after a flame shot “The whole crew went
was crying at the sight of her out from their cooker and caused
soot-stained face and charred hair. an explosion in the annex of their above and beyond to
In shock, Kaitlyn clutched her
camper trailer. make one of the worst
screaming sons as she took in the Kaitlyn and Santo suffered days of our lives have
fire consuming her camper trailer. second and third degree burns
respectively as they desperately
a few moments of joy
It started as a dream vacation.
tried to escape the blaze and get and laughter,” Kaitlyn
Kaitlyn was holidaying in the
stunning surrounds of Coral Bay
their boys to safety who thankfully Borrello, RFDS patient.
were unscathed by the fire.
with her husband Santo and their
two sons in August last year.
4 The Official Magazine of the Royal Flying Doctor Service WA
“The RFDS saved us in
more ways than one that
day. We are all so lucky
that the RFDS came to
our aid when we needed
it the most. We are deeply
thankful for everything
the RFDS does.”
Six months on, the Borrello family
report Santo has a long road
of physiotherapy ahead for his
shoulder injury, their burns are
healing remarkably well but they
remain very nervous around fire,
with fire safety the new normal.
Kaitlyn Borrello said she was grateful to RFDS crews for the care offered to
Like many WA families who have her family.
been exploring our great state
over the past few months, the Once their camper trailer is repaired,
Borrello family never expected to the Borrello family are keen to
need our services, but are grateful explore WA’s regions again – this
the RFDS was able to bring help time safe in the knowledge that the
closer in their time of need. RFDS is there if things go wrong.
Always
with you
The RFDS is a free
service. Your donations
help us be there
for unexpected
emergencies.
Recent calls for help for
holiday-related incidents
include snake bites,
stingray injuries, motor
vehicle accidents, and
a parachuting injury.
The Borrello family visited the RFDS Jandakot base after making a
remarkable recovery. Donate at:
rfds-wa.giveeasy.org/autumn21
5
MEET THE
new aircraft communications
and navigation systems.
Increasing the RFDS WO fleet to
17 PC-12s alongside two Rio Tinto
NEWEST
LifeFlight PC-24 jets, the increased
fleet capacity will boost emergency
response times for multiple cases
across the state and help ensure a
member of our fleet continuous service as we continue
to respond to the pandemic.
The RFDS responds to an average
of 25 patients a day in locations
Western Australia’s Royal WA and 22 of their member as near to Perth as Rottnest and
organisations who answered our as far north as Kununurra; in any
Flying Doctor Service has
call for Response Ready COVID-19 weather, 24 hours a day, every day.
expanded its fleet with the
assistance in 2020.
arrival of a new Pilatus
Cementing our position as
PC-12 turboprop aircraft. an innovative world-leader in
T
he PC-12 NG aircraft VH-LWO aeromedical service, RFDS WO
which arrived at Jandakot engineers will customise the
Airport from Switzerland in aircraft over 10 weeks to include
February is the last of its type to be COVID-19-proofing measures.
manufactured by Pilatus. The aircraft will serve as a
VH-LWO was purchased thanks prototype in transitioning the
to the generous support of the entire RFDS fleet in WA to include
Chamber of Commerce & Energy COVID-19 considerations and
How our Pilatus Cockpit - The cockpit is configured RFDS Extensive Fit out
for single-pilot operations in all
PC–12 Flying Intensive weather conditions, day and night. The first Pilatus PC-12 NG aircraft
Care Unit is set-up Instrumentation includes state-of- was acquired by the RFDS in 2009.
the-art navigation and positioning Each RFDS aircraft is equipped
The Pilatus PC-12 is a great all-
systems as well as the standard with state-of-the-art aeromedical
rounder in terms of capacity, amenity,
equipment to display data from equipment and literally serves as
speed, range and performance,
ground-based navigational aids. an ‘Intensive Care Unit’ in the sky.
making it perfect for the Royal
Flying Doctor Service. Engine - The aircraft is powered When a new RFDS aircraft arrives, it
by a single Pratt and Whitney undergoes an aeromedical fit-out
Custom cabin - The cabin is set
Canada PT6A-67B turboprop with the latest in medical, aviation
up with two stretcher beds and
engine. and communications technology.
three seats, which can be used in a
variety of configurations. The front Over 10 weeks, RFDS engineers
door allows the pilot to conduct who are specialists on Pilatus-built
pre-flight external inspections and aircraft will install:
enter the plane without disturbing • Various fittings for stretcher,
the patients and medical crew in oxygen, suction and electrical
the rear. systems;
Staff - A Doctor and a Flight • Radio and satellite phone
Nurse are usually on every flight communications;
to treat patients. Other passengers
• Bespoke cabinets and shelving
can include sitting patients,
for the storage of medical
accompanying relatives or
supplies and luggage; and
specialist medical staff. VH-LWO in the snow at the
factory in Switzerland before • Protectors to prevent chipping
journeying to WA. and wear and tear on the aircraft.
6 The Official Magazine of the Royal Flying Doctor Service WA
Specifications
Pilatus PC-12 Number in RFDS WA Fleet Maximum Speed
Flying Intensive
Care Units
17 280 knots (518.56 km)
Maximum Altitude Capacity
30,000 Ft Two stretchered patients and one
seated patient with two medical crew
Range Cabin Dimensions
2,889 km Width:
1.52m
Length: Height:
4.68m 1.45m
Weighing an RFDS pilots must calculate the weight
of everything on board the aircraft
PC-12 aircraft including equipment, people and
When our PC-12 aircraft arrived from fuel prior to flying to ensure they
the Pilatus factory in Switzerland, do not exceed the allocated weight
the plane began its aeromedical capacity of the aircraft. RFDS pilots
fit-out by our specialist engineers. are responsible for the loading of our
This takes 760 hours. Any significant patients onto the aircraft to ensure
modifications to an aircraft requires the weight is balanced in order to
the operator to reweigh the aircraft. maintain the centre of gravity.
Our aircraft are weighed by The centre of gravity of an aircraft is
moving all three wheels onto the point where all weight is evenly
specialised weight pads. distributed and balanced. If the
weight is not evenly distributed or if
Once weighed, an authorised
there’s major change in balance, the
aircraft weigher provides a report
that is kept with the aircraft’s
aircraft is more difficult to control. Fly us
logbook. Our pilots also receive
a copy which is loaded into our
The engineers and pilots ensure
the weight and centre of gravity Further
are measured correctly to ensure
computer management systems.
the best flight performance and Donate today to
Every PC-12 aircraft in our fleet must safety for our patients. help provide the vital
have exactly the same medical set
aeromedical equipment
up so our Doctors and Nurses know
where everything is in an emergency.
needed to maintain
19 Intensive Care Units
It is critical to know the weight
of our aircraft for optimal flight
in the sky.
performance and safety. Our Thank you CME and all other donors
who helped us purchase VH-LWO
Donate at: rfdswa.com.au
7
DREAM JOB
in the Top End Bryn flying the RFDS’ PC-12 on
a clinic run to Kadjina, a remote
community in the Kimberley.
W
hat sort of job would “I love this job because of the We use our on board weather radar
have you skirting variety of work we do, the amazing to safely navigate around them.”
wedge-tailed eagles, landscapes we fly over and mostly “I had never seen tropical storm
dodging storms and because we get to help people when lightning but now I love watching
mustering cattle so you can help they need it most. Job satisfaction is them as we fly past.”
set up a remote clinic? Working for through the roof in this job,” he said.
the Flying Doctor in WA of course! Last year the Flying Doctor in WA
“I had never worked in health retrieved 1,870 patients from the
Three years ago, pilot Bryn James before so it has been a real learning Kimberley, making it the busiest
swapped the big city lights of curve for me being so involved region in WA.
Melbourne for the Top End of WA with our patients.”
to take up what he says was his The RFDS also provides primary
An experienced and highly trained healthcare clinics to patients in the
dream job. pilot flying the RFDS’ PC-12 Kimberley region.
Based in Broome, Bryn can be turboprop aircraft, Bryn says the wet
tasked to retrieve and fly patients season has its fair share of challenges. The RFDS delivers free GP clinics
to safety from the furthest corners at Mount House, Drysdale and
“During the dry season we can go for Doongan Stations, Mornington
of WA - and everywhere in six to eight months without seeing
between - for a variety of reasons. Wilderness Camp on the Gibb
a cloud so flying is easy,” he said. River Road and in the Aboriginal
From retrieving a station worker “The afternoon storms in the wet communities of Djugerari,
mauled by a bull, to navigating season on the other hand make Koorabye, Kadjina and Yakanarra.
around a thunderstorm to transfer flying a lot harder and we have to
a young Karratha girl stung by an The RFDS has 126 medical chests
be careful in our pre-flight planning across the Kimberley region to
Irukandji jellyfish, to assisting the to make sure we have enough fuel
Broome Fire and Rescue crew to ensure those in isolated locations
to fly around weather.” have access to emergency
extract a patient trapped in their
vehicle on the Dampier Peninsula; “Our aircraft, although pressurised pharmaceutical and medical supplies
Bryn has gained incredible and able to fly to 30,000 feet, which assist in the first-aid treatment
experience he knows is unique to cannot outclimb the thunderstorms of patients and in the preparation of
working with the RFDS. that often go as high as 45,000 feet! evacuations from remote locations.
Stronger
Together
Donate today to help
support our busiest
regional base outside
of Perth and the
dedicated staff that
service the region.
Donate at: rfdswa.com.au
8 The Official Magazine of the Royal Flying Doctor Service WA
24/7 service uninterrupted by
BROOME
BASE FIRE
A
fter a busy holiday period, patient facilities at another location patients were retrieved from the
the new year got off to at Broome International Airport. Kimberley region – more than
an unexpected start for “The united response of RFDS any other region in WA.
the RFDS with a fire at our crew in Broome and across the We remain grateful for support
Broome base on Saturday 2 January. organisation following the fire has from the community as we
The response was swift and been incredible. There has been work together to rebuild our
collaborative. Thanks to the no impact to patient response Kimberley facility. Together with
Department of Fire and Emergency during and since the incident, our supporters, the RFDS will
Services and local volunteer fire which has only been possible due overcome this challenge and
fighters, the blaze was quickly to the incredible work ethic of our build back stronger.
brought under control. entire workforce,” said RFDS WA
Most importantly no one was hurt, CEO Rebecca Tomkinson.
our planes weren’t damaged and
“Our patients and
there was no impact to patients
in the Kimberley region needing people remain our top Stronger
aeromedical retrievals. priority as we recover, Together
The fire affected the main building and I thank the Western
at the base which is primarily used We appreciate your
for patient care, administration and
Australian community
generous support
storage of equipment and medical and our partners for their
supplies. Despite the damage, our
over the coming
continued support,” months as we rebuild
service has remained operational
for all patients in the region. Ms Tomkinson said. our Broome base.
The RFDS staff have worked The Broome base is the RFDS’ Donate today to keep
together with key partners in the largest regional base outside of us flying into the future.
region to establish temporary Perth. Last year more than 1,800
Donate at: rfdswa.com.au
9
WHAT’S ON?
Flying Doctor Day
What is Flying Reverend John Flynn’s vision to
provide a mantle of safety for those
Last year, the RFDS provided care
to more than 320,000 Australians
Doctor Day? living in remote Australia took off - one person every one and a half
on the morning of 17 May 1928 minutes.
On Monday 17 May 2021, RFDS
when the inaugural flight departed In 2020, in the midst of a global
will celebrate Flying Doctor Day
from Cloncurry to retrieve two pandemic the Flying Doctor in WA
and 93 years of proudly providing
patients. Dr Kenyon St Vincent recorded the busiest year in our
the finest care to the furthest
Welch and Pilot Arthur Affleck took long history. As demand continues
corners of Australia.
off in a single engine De Haviland to grow, our team of 300 Pilots,
50 bi-plane named Victory. Doctors, Flight Nurses, Engineers,
The first Pilot had no navigational and support crew work tirelessly
aids, no radio and only a compass. every day of the year to provide
He navigated by landmarks such 24-hour emergency retrieval
as fences, rivers, river beds, dirt service and primary health care to
remote communities.
roads or just wheel tracks and
telegraph lines. There was no way Flying Doctor Day is an
to call for help. opportunity to celebrate our
history, our future and recognise
This flight marked the beginning
the efforts of the frontline crews
of one of the world’s first
working to provide excellent care.
aeromedical services.
Together with support from the
In its inaugural year, the Aerial community, we deliver on the
Medical Service (which later became quintessential sense of what it
the Royal Flying Doctor Service) means to be Australian – that a
flew 50 flights to 26 destinations mate is going to be there when
First RFDS Pilot Arthur Affleck. and treated 225 patients. you need them most.
10 The Official Magazine of the Royal Flying Doctor Service WAFlying into Doctor will continue to overcome
this using the latest in technology,
the Future innovation and service to respond
to the changing needs of the
The RFDS has grown immensely people we serve.
since the first flight on 17 May
COVID-19 has accelerated the push
1928. From a single leased Qantas
towards using new technology and
plane in 1928, in Western Australia
platforms to deliver our essential
we now have a fleet of 17 PC-12
service across the world’s largest
turboprop aircraft and two Rio
health jurisdiction.
Tinto LifeFlight PC-24 jet aircraft
which provide a ‘mantle of safety’ We do not know what challenges
across more than 2.5 million we will face next, but we promise
square kilometres of the state. to innovate and find the solution.
With the introduction of our The world is changing. With
Rio Tinto LifeFlight PC-24 jets, people like you standing by our
RFDS WA became the first to use side, we are determined to keep
the jet for aeromedical retrieval changing with it.
work anywhere in the world, Your support on Flying Doctor Day
The Legacy of a the first to bring a PC-24 to the and throughout the year allows us
Gift in Will Southern Hemisphere and, the first
PC-24 in all of Australia. We led
to invest in the future of the Flying
Doctor and find the answer to
Ninety three years ago, the very the charge and worked with our problems we can’t imagine yet.
first Royal Flying Doctor Service supporters to meet the growing With technology at our fingertips
flight was made possible when need for long haul transfers. and incredible expertise and passion
supporter Hugh Victor McKay left The tyranny of distance will always among our people, we have much
a gift in his Will for what he at the challenge Australia, but the Flying to be excited about for our future.
time dubbed an “aerial experiment”.
The first Flying Doctor plane
was named Victory in honour of
philanthropist Hugh Victor McKay
How you can be involved
whose bequest enabled the Flying Volunteer for RFDS Street Appeal
Doctor to start. Today, one of our In the lead up to Flying Doctor Day 2021 we will be out
Rio Tinto LifeFlight PC-24 jets bears raising funds and awareness of our service in the Perth
the name Victory remembering our metropolitan area on Friday 14 May. To sign up to help
beginnings as we fly into the future on the day please email fundraise@rfdswa.com.au
and find new ways to overcome
the tyranny of distance. Light up our landmarks
McKay could not have imagined As landmarks around Western Australia light up in red
the legacy his gift would create or and blue for the Flying Doctor on Monday 17 May,
how successful the “experiment” snap a picture and share it on social media. Be sure to
would be. tag our profile or use #flyingdoctorday in your post
and we might just repost your shot on our channels!
Today, McKay’s spirit of philanthropy
and giving lives on through the
financial support and generosity of Host a fundraiser
people like you who are committed There are plenty of ways to get involved and fundraise for
to keeping Flynn’s dream alive. the RFDS, whether it is organising a workplace morning
tea, a BBQ with mates or paper plane challenge at
Since that first flight, donations school. Whatever your idea we would love your support
and bequests have helped keep this Flying Doctor Day. Check our website or contact the
the RFDS flying. We are proud to Communications and Giving Team for more information
recognise those who follow in fundraise@rfdswa.com.au.
McKay’s footsteps and leave a Gift
in their Will through the Robin Miller
The Flying Doctor is not just for those who live in regional WA.
Society. To learn more contact RFDS
We are the service you hope you never have to use, but as you
Philanthropy Manager Matthew
work, travel and live throughout WA we’re there for you.
Correia on (08) 9417 6375 or email
matthew.correia@rfdswa.com.au If you have other ideas to help us celebrate our 93rd birthday
please contact us – we would love to hear from you.
11DEVOTED
Career “We had no satellite phone, no “It was a full day’s work triaging
electricity in the aircraft, no loading patients who were very badly
and unloading system for our burnt. Many had to be ventilated
“You can’t print that!” Flight Nurse patients, no portable equipment and getting them onto a chopper
Marianne Testi says sternly and then and you had to go up to the pilot was a logistical nightmare. I’ll never
laughs as she recollects stories in the cockpit to use the radio and forget it.”
from her 30-year-long career with the whole world could hear you. In January, when a fire destroyed
the RFDS in Western Australia. “We didn’t have the high-end ICUs patient transfer facilities along with
I
n the late ‘80s, Marianne was that we have today. We did more medical tools and equipment at
working in central Queensland primary retrievals back then and the RFDS Broome base, Marianne
as a nurse when she sighted a we just had to use whatever was played an instrumental role in
job advertisement for the Flying available to us at the time to ensure establishing temporary facilities
Doctor based in Derby, WA. the best outcome for our patients.” and in the recovery process to
Marianne says it has been a great ensure service continuity.
Armed with a spirit for adventure
and a passion for helping people privilege to be part of lifesaving “I am very proud to work alongside
in need, a job serving regional missions alongside some of the best dedicated and committed
communities as a Flight Nurse for and highly trained clinical crews. healthcare professionals who
the iconic Flying Doctor piqued One mission Marianne says she’ll put our patients at the centre of
her interest right away. never forget was Ashmore Reef on everything they do,” she said.
Thirty years on, she’s never looked 16 April 2009 when a vessel carrying
47 refugees exploded and sank. Five
“When we are thrown a
back and is the WA Flying Doctor’s
longest serving Flight Nurse. passengers were killed and many curve ball, we respond by
survivors were severely burned. being solution-focused.
Starting with the service in 1990,
Marianne is no stranger to navigating RFDS aircraft and crews from That is the Flying Doctor
through periods of disruption Derby, Port Hedland, Meekatharra
with significant advancements in and Jandakot bases were tasked spirit. Where some might
technology and medical expertise to respond to the major casualty say ‘too hard’, we say ‘let’s
occurring in the past three decades. incident.
find a way to do this’.”
Her recollections of being a A medical triage facility was
first-responder in WA are vivid, established at the Mungalalu
Truscott Airbase in Kalumburu
passionate and intermingled with
highs and lows. and on the Front Puffin – a tanker Propel us
“It was a very different world back
when I started in the ‘90s,” she said.
where the wounded were initially
treated and awaited aeromedical
forward.
evacuation to hospitals ashore.
Marianne was tasked with the
You can propel us
RFDS’ Dr Brian Collings to go by forward by making a
helicopter to the Puffin Platform donation to enable our
to triage patients and airlift them crews to innovate and
back to Truscott. stand strong in the face
“We just had to go in and do what of whatever challenge
we could,” Marianne recalls. comes next.
Donate at: rfdswa.com.au
12 The Official Magazine of the Royal Flying Doctor Service WARECIPES
from the Goldfields
A taste of Royal Flying Doctor Eastern Goldfields Auxiliary Historical Cookbook
Cream of Carrot Soup
Ingredients Method
3 large carrots Chop carrots roughly. Cook in
2 pints chicken stock stock until tender. Put in vitamiser
(or water and stock cubes) (or blender) and blend until
pureed. Return to saucepan, and
0.25 cups cream
add cream and finely chopped
Parsley parsley. Do not re-boil.
Lamb Shanks in Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients Method
1 tbsp olive oil Brown shanks in hot oil. Remove
2 tbsp butter to casserole dish. Melt butter
until sizzling, add flour and cook
1 cup red wine
for 1 minute. Remove from heat
275g whole cranberry sauce jar and slowly add stock, wine, and
Salt and pepper (to taste) cranberry sauce. Season with
6 lamb shanks salt and pepper. Return to heat
2 tbsp flour and bring to boil. Pour over lamb
shanks, add rosemary. Cover and
1.5 cups chicken stock
bake in moderate oven for 1 hour.
Fresh rosemary Remove lid and bake for a further
30 minutes or until tender.
Thank you for your support of the RFDS. Please enjoy these winter warmer recipes.
Cookbook can be purchased from www.rfdswa.com.au
13URGENT
FLIGHT
for baby Grace Whatever the reason, wherever
you are the RFDS is there to help
24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
L
Every week RFDS WA responds
ate last year, Albany mum After liaising with the cardiac team to more than 10 calls for help for
Tammy faced every parent’s from Perth Children’s Hospital, the pregnant mothers and newborn
worst nightmare when Albany medical team agreed Grace babies.
her four-month-old baby required an urgent transfer to Perth
All RFDS Flight Nurses have critical
daughter Grace turned blue. to deal with the complicated case.
care expertise and are qualified
“Seeing your baby turn blue and Tammy felt reassured when the midwives to ensure when little
struggling to breathe is terrifying,” RFDS crew picked her and Grace ones like Grace need help they will
Albany mum Tammy shared. up for the flight. receive the finest care possible.
It started when Tammy noticed “The crew were all lovely and kept
Grace making a strange noise me calm. Grace was looking so
at the end of each breath. With much better,” Tammy says.
her daughter’s complex cardiac “Grace was turning on the charm
history, Tammy had been taught for the doctor and nurse onboard
to recognise signs of respiratory – she seemed to enjoy her flight a
distress in her young daughter. lot more than me.”
“My baby girl turned blue – a sign The pair spent the night in hospital
not to muck around with.’’ where Grace had further tests.
Tammy remained level-headed With good news on her test results,
in the emergency to provide her Tammy was able to take her
daughter with the best fighting
chance.
daughter back home to Albany,
relieved to have the Flying Doctor
Every
“I was so scared of losing her,” there when they needed it most. hour of
Tammy recalled.
“I got the ambulance on the
“They are lifesavers! every day
phone who explained what I had It’s great to know we Donate today to help us
to do, I unlocked my front door have the RFDS if we be there for babies and
and I gathered Grace’s Perth
Children’s Hospital paperwork
need to get to the city pregnant mothers when
along with her medication.” for specialised medical they need us most.
The mother and daughter were assistance – we are Your gift will help
taken to Albany hospital where support young families
so lucky to have these
Grace was put on oxygen and throughout regional WA.
had an x-ray of her chest. services available.”
Donate at: rfdswa.com.au
14 The Official Magazine of the Royal Flying Doctor Service WAHow Other ways to
can support join our crew and
support our work
your Flying Contact the RFDS WA at
giving@rfdswa.com.au or
(08) 9417 6400
Doctor today Set yourself a challenge
or hold a morning tea and
raise funds for RFDS
DONATE Get involved with
Flying Doctor Day
Make a secure donation online at
Leave a Gift in your Will and
rfds-wa.giveeasy.org/autumn21 join the Robin Miller Society
Donate by telephone (08) 9417 6400 Join our Support Crew
of regular givers
Complete and return the RFDS donation slip
Give a gift that makes
a difference
RFDS merchandise is available at
www.rfdswa.com.au
$25: Doctor $25: Rio Tinto
Bob Bear LifeFlight Cap
Stay in touch:
Subscribe to ‘The Flyer’ to receive the latest Flying Doctor WA
news to your inbox by emailing communications@rfdswa.com.au
@RFDSWA @royalflyingdoc @royalflyingdoc_wa
15Acknowledgement of Country
The Royal Flying Doctor Service in Western Australia
respects and acknowledges the Traditional Owners
of the Country on which we work, live and fly.
We acknowledge your continuing connection to
the lands, seas and skies of Western Australia.
Royal Flying Doctor Service
(Western Operations)
3 Eagle Drive
Jandakot WA 6164
T: (08) 9417 6400
E: fundraise@rfdswa.com.au
rfdswa.com.au
Photo: Broome Base staff during NAIDOC week photo courtesy of Abby Murray Photography.You can also read
