17 May 2021

APPEA celebrates Flying Doctor Day

APPEA celebrates the work of Australia’s flying doctors this 17 May on Flying Doctor Day. Flying Doctor Day brings attention to the work of Australia’s Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS), which have provided emergency and healthcare services in regional Australian communities for the past 93 years.

Founded by Reverend John Flynn, the first flying doctor aeroplane journey in Australia departed from Cloncurry, Queensland on 17 May 1928. Initially called the Aerial Medical Service, it has been an Australian institution ever since, with a team of 300 staff providing a 24-hour service to more than 320,000 people each year.

APPEA is supportive of the work done by the RFDS, which provides an essential service to many rural communities where oil and gas employees work. APPEA recently agreed to donate $5,000 to the service as part of the In.Site Photographic Awards. For more information, click here.