Flying Doctor Magazine | Autumn 2023 Edition

In this edition

3 Meet Judith Barker ASM, our new CEO

4 One-in-100 year flood in the Kimberley

5 Delivering twins in the Pilbara

6 Fisherman flown to Perth after shark attack

7 Flying Doctor Day 2023

8 Pilot Simon’s 20 years

9 WA’s Rural Nurse/Midwife of the Year

10 RFDS thanks Don Anderson after 27 years voluntary service

11 Farming rescue in the Great Southern

12 Karleigh Barbour reflects on working on Country

13 The Queen of Corrigin’s royal helicopter ride

14 Incredible community support

15 Recipes from our family to yours

To our wonderful supporters

I am excited and proud to be sharing my first message for The Flying Doctor magazine with you. In October I took up the reins as CEO of the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Western Australia. Since then, I have travelled around the State to meet with as many of our partners and community supporters as possible.

The month of December was our busiest in a decade. Between Christmas and New Year’s Day, we retrieved 235 patients – 20 per cent more than the previous year. For the entire month of December, we responded to 854 incidents. Of those patients, we transferred 507 to Perth and 347 to regional centres.

Acknowledgements:

2022 Vital Statistics

I am very pleased to let you know the Royal Flying Doctor Service has once again been announced as the Most Reputable Charity in Australia. We are so proud to have been at the top of this list for 11 of the last 12 years, but we will never take your trust for granted. Everyone at the RFDS is committed to you – our patients and our community. We will be there when you need us most, providing the finest care to the furthest corners of Western Australia.

We can only provide our trusted services with you by our side. Being Australia’s most reputable charity is testament to the wonderful efforts of local volunteers, fundraisers and donors.

Because of your help, our crews can provide world-class care.

Thank you for your enduring support.

Best wishes

Judith Barker ASM Chief Executive Officer Royal Flying Doctor Service WA

Cover photo: Photo of Fortescue EC145 Heli-Med Service Helicopter captured by RFDS WA Rotary Engineer Jacob Smith.

Thank you to our RFDS team members, patients and members of our community for the photographs and stories in this publication.

Meet Judith Barker ASM, our new CEO

Last October, Judith Barker took up the role of CEO for the RFDS in WA. Judith was previously based in Darwin for four years as CEO for St John NT and brings more than 25 years’ experience working in health and emergency services, including as a paramedic. Judith is a recent recipient of a 2023 Australia Day Honour for her leadership in health shown under pandemic conditions. We sat down with Judith to find out what brought her to the RFDS.

Can you share a little about you and your background?

I grew up in Perth. Becoming a paramedic early on in my career was a defining experience that helped me develop a strong sense of empathy and compassion.

After I became a paramedic, my brother became one too. My dad held senior roles at St John WA for many years and my mum also worked in the not-for-profit sector. Both my parents were very

much about giving back to the community in their careers, and that had a strong influence on me.

Why did you become a paramedic?

When I was young, I wanted to be everything from a school teacher to an author, to working in public relations. I did a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature because I loved reading, but the pathways after the degree weren’t inspiring. I was in my car at a set of traffic lights in Victoria Park when an ambulance drove past. It was a light bulb moment for me. I thought ‘I can do that’. I wanted to do something that was health and people focused, and decided paramedic would be the perfect fit for me.

What motivated you to apply to be CEO of the RFDS WA?

I’d worked in ambulance services for years and had a fantastic career. I was keen to do something a bit different with a rural and remote perspective. Working alongside the RFDS my whole career, I know how

important the organisation is for Western Australians and the rest of the country too. I am so proud to now be a part of the RFDS.

What would you like people to know about the RFDS?

I’d like people to know that we are there for them on their worst days. But while we are there for tragic accidents and health emergencies, many people don’t realise we also run primary health clinics that provide critical support for people living in remote communities. Our amazing RFDS nurses and doctors go out to stations and remote places, and visit Aboriginal communities to conduct clinics and primary healthcare in areas such as women’s health, dentistry, mental health or GP services.

What do you hope to achieve for the RFDS?

For me, it’s important to make sure that whatever I do with my time at the RFDS, I always remember who we are here for — the people of WA.

Image left: Judith Barker and her Father Bob Barker at her St John WA induction (early 90’s).

One-in-100 year flood in the Kimberley

Recently, people in the Kimberley experienced a one-in-100-year flood event in the wake of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie, the worst flooding WA has ever seen. Many communities were affected by the Kimberley floods and the destruction continues to be devastating.

As a flight nurse for the RFDS, you never know what your day could involve. Being a member of the search and rescue crew during the Fitzroy floods was an experience I won’t forget. Seeing from the sky, the damaging effects of the floods was devastating. So many people in Fitzroy Crossing and surrounding communities have lost everything and will need ongoing support to rebuild their lives.

Emily Weekes, Flight Nurse

Communities in the Kimberley will be recovering and rebuilding for months. RFDS is supporting the recovery effort wherever, whenever.

How did the RFDS respond?

Continued urgent patient transfers with minimal interruption, including dialysis patients, a woman in labour, and other time critical emergencies.

Relocated crews and aircraft from Broome to Port Hedland to ensure services could continue in the region.

Participated in rescuing people from Fitzroy using PHI Aviation helicopters.

Provided the Australian Defence Force with space at our Broome base to help distribute freight and equipment to affected communities.

Assisted WA Country Health Service to transport equipment for telehealth clinics.

Participated in the multi-agency response led by Department of Fire and Emergency Services to assist with the region’s recovery.

We modified a daytime-only airstrip in Cadjebut to 24-hour accessibility in response to a request for assistance from the WA Country Health Service and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services. We sourced emergency airstrip lighting so the airstrip can be used at night. Cadjebut is located along the Great Northern Highway, south east of Fitzroy Crossing. With eastern areas of the Fitzroy Valley currently cut off by road, a 24/7 airstrip in this location will make an important contribution towards recovery efforts in the region and help ensure patient retrievals can continue as needed.

Give when you go. The RFDS is a free service. Donate when you travel. It doesn’t matter where you are in Western Australia – the Flying Doctor is there to help in an unexpected medical emergency. Donate at: rfdswa.com.au/autumn

Image right: RFDS WA Flight Nurse Emily Weekes and PHI Aviation Pilot Sonny Dann.

Delivering twins in the Pilbara

Katherine Ramsay was living in the Pilbara town of Newman and expecting twins when she unexpectedly went into labour ten weeks early.

“Four days before I was due to fly to Perth for care at King Edward Memorial Hospital, I started feeling what I thought were Braxton Hicks contractions,” Katherine said.

“The only doctor in town was away treating a patient who had a heart attack, so the nurses on shift arranged a video call for me with a doctor at Port Hedland Regional Hospital. The doctor contacted the RFDS to take me to Perth and prescribed me something to try and stop the contractions while I waited for them.

“By the time the doctor called with the ETA, I knew I was in labour. At this stage, I was still calm as I knew help was on its way. The RFDS arrived quicker than I could have dreamt. But I was already five centimetres dilated so I was flown to Port Hedland rather than all the way to Perth.

“The RFDS nurse, Erica Wilson, was so lovely. I was unable to have any pain relief onboard due to an allergy, so she breathed through my contractions with me, held my hand and was so supportive and caring,” said Katherine. The scenario took a challenging turn when Katherine arrived at Port Hedland Hospital.

“While prepping for surgery, it became clear I had a placental abruption and things turned serious very quickly and it was very scary,” said Katherine.

After Katherine’s twin girls were born, they were flown to Perth by the RFDS.

“Being in Port Hedland without my babies and without my family was the most isolating feeling in the world. I took comfort knowing the RFDS were doing everything they could to get me to Perth on the next available plane. The next morning, a St John WA ambulance took me from the hospital to the Flying Doctor plane. The St John and RFDS staff were all buzzing with excitement as they had heard my story and couldn’t wait to get me to the twins.”

I am thankful and appreciative every single day for the flying doctor. Without this vital service, my twins and I wouldn’t be here today.

Support families living in regional WA. Donate today to help us be there for babies and pregnant mothers when they need us most. Donate at: rfdswa.com.au/autumn

Fisherman flown to Perth after shark attack

On a sunny Friday morning last October, Robbie Peck set off on a fishing trip off the coast of Port Hedland with his brother-in-law, Clive and four-year-old son, James.

After an enjoyable day, Robbie dove into the crystal-clear water one last time with a spear gun in hand while James dozed on deck under Clive’s watchful eye. Disaster struck as Robbie speared his last fish for the day. He glanced over his left shoulder to see a wall of teeth moving towards him at full charge.

“I recall the teeth sinking into my arm like a hot knife through butter.”

Robbie pulled his arm free and made for the boat, calling out to Clive that he’d been bitten by a shark and needed a tourniquet. Clive used a weight belt as a tourniquet and a spear gun as a splint and pointed the boat towards land about 13km away. By the time they returned to the boat ramp, an ambulance was waiting to transport Robbie to Port Hedland Regional Hospital. After initial treatment, Robbie needed to get to Perth as soon as possible for specialist surgery on his left arm.

“I live next door to an RFDS doctor and my wife is a paramedic, so I know how important the RFDS is and I knew I was in good hands.”

“I felt safe and super grateful the RFDS was there to fly me to Royal Perth Hospital,” Robbie said.

Sometimes it’s the little things that RFDS crews do that really stick with patients.

“I was dying of thirst but wasn’t allowed water before my surgery at Royal Perth Hospital. At the RFDS base in Port Hedland, a nurse offered me an icy orange Zooper Dooper—it was the best Zooper Dooper of my life,” Robbie said. Months later, Robbie has undergone multiple surgeries and is still recovering. Reflecting on his experience, Robbie said:

“That day in October was one of the most powerful and profound experiences of my life. Being so close to death, it became crystal clear how important my family and loved ones are to me. I didn’t care about anything else. I was focused on surviving for my family. At the end of the day, if you have people you love, let them know.”

With help from generous donors, families can live, work and travel in regional and remote areas of WA, safe in the knowledge that the Royal Flying Doctor Service is here to help.

17 May 2023

For the past 94 years, RFDS crews have brought the finest emergency and primary healthcare to the furthest corners of Australia.

Western Australia is the world’s largest health jurisdiction and the RFDS has five aeromedical bases located at Broome, Port Hedland, Meekatharra, Kalgoorlie and Jandakot.

With the support of people like you, RFDS WA operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week across more than 2.5 million square kilometres of our great State, including Christmas and Cocos Islands.

Services across the state to reduce the disparity in health care in the regions.

We hope you join us on Flying Doctor Day as we reflect and recognise the dedicated hard work of our crews and look to the future of our service.

Thank you for standing by our side as we continue to innovate and rise to meet every new challenge that comes our way.

How you can support Donate Today

Save the date! Wednesday 17 May is our annual Giving Day to help us raise vital funds to reach Western Australians no matter where they choose to live, work or holiday. All donations made to Flying Doctor Day will be doubled thanks to our generous matched partners. Head to flyingdoctorday.com.au on 17 May to help us save lives.

Flying Doctor Day Socks

Grab a pair of our Australian-made Flying Doctor Socks. To secure yourself a pair (or two), head to rfdswa.com.au

Become a Champion

Sign up to be a Champion for Flying Doctor Day and get your workplace or community fundraising in the lead up to 17 May. Every donation made will be doubled, thanks to our generous matching partners. For more information, contact us at fundraise@rfdswa.com.au

Every day 26 Western Australians rely on the RFDS to provide life-saving care.*

“The Hamersley Ranges in the Pilbara are also amazing to see, especially early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the red colour of the hills really stands out.

“I recently transferred to the Kalgoorlie Base after 20 years in the North West, and I’m looking forward to admiring the views southern WA has to offer from both an aerial perspective and from the ground.”

Pilot Simon’s 20 years

Simon Phelps grew up on a sheep and cereal farm on the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia. For as long as he can remember, Simon has been fascinated by planes and flying. He began flying for a local airline and after the business was sold, Simon made the decision to stay ‘rural’.

“I wanted to give back to the rural community in some way so the RFDS was my next logical step.”

Twenty years later and Simon is still flying for the RFDS!

“Working with an amazing bunch of like-minded people, whether other pilots or medical staff, engineers or support staff certainly plays a big factor in why you keep turning up day after day to do this job.”

As well as being passionate about flying, Simon also has a passion for photography.

“Being a keen photographer, I have had some memorable flights that have taken me over some of the most amazing scenery WA has to offer. The coastline around Broome’s Roebuck Bay is very interesting, especially when the tide is out. The stirred-up sand and mud amongst the turquoise water makes for some interesting patterns.

Simon has many memories from working as a pilot for the RFDS, including his one and only road landing:

“We were tasked with retrieving a couple of guys who had been involved in a car rollover near Nanutarra Roadhouse in the Pilbara. We expected the road to be closed for our landing, but as we flew over, we saw cars and trucks still driving along the road. The roadhouse had blocked traffic from their end, but no one had stopped traffic coming from the south. We waited until the vehicles were cleared before we could land. We were on the ground for so long stabilising the patients, it fell dark before we left. We ended up using car headlights to light up the road for our take-off. As pilots we train for this, but to do it in real life is a huge adrenaline rush!”

Image: RFDS WA Pilot Simon Phelps.

I can honestly say the last 20 years has flown by – quite literally! Knowing you are making a difference in someone’s life when they are at their most vulnerable really makes the job worthwhile.

WA’s Rural Nurse/Midwife of the Year

Our longest-serving Flight Nurse of more than 30 years was recently recognised as WA’s Rural Nurse/ Midwife of the Year.

Marianne Testi joined the RFDS in 1990 after growing up in country Victoria.

“I was working as a nurse on Hayman Island in Queensland when I saw an advertisement for a nurse at the RFDS in Derby,” Marianne said. Reflecting on her long career, Marianne is still blown away by the work of the RFDS.

“The RFDS does remarkable work with limited resources. In some instances, we’re world leaders with our innovations. Take the stretcher loader device with its simple but effective design as an example. The device means we can load and unload patients onto the aircraft without ‘lifting’ them. It’s strong, easy to use and reliable.

“But what really stands out for me is the overwhelming community support. When we land in a remote location, where often there is little or no medical help, the relief on people’s faces is very apparent. Our crews go about their work calmly, quietly, with good grace and good humour. Often, when we arrive, it’s one of the worst days for the patient. Sitting with a patient, holding their hand, talking through their fears and anxieties while giving them medical help, can be an

intense experience. That intensity of experience connects you to the patients and to the rest of the crew. Developing the trust of patients and that deep connection with the crews is particularly special to me.”

Being recognised as WA’s Rural Nurse/Midwife of the Year was a surprise for Marianne.

“I was astonished to win. Particularly during COVID, when so many deserving nurses went above and beyond their duty to help the community. I didn’t really know what to say or what to do when I got the award. Then it dawned on me, the award also recognises and acknowledges the incredible work of the RFDS and all nurses generally.”

Marianne’s advice to early career nurses is to join the service.

“Do it,” she says. “I encourage you to experience this for yourself. You’ll have so many opportunities to grow as a nurse. You’ll get to stand on your own two feet professionally. You’ll learn to really look after your patient and you’ll become exceptionally good at diagnosis. You’ll develop a great capacity to see where your patients are and what they need.”

Did you know we have Nursing Midwifery Scholarships? Find out more here: www.flyingdoctor.org.au/wa/about/working-in-wa/scholarships-wa/

Working as a flight nurse for the RFDS is an intense and incredibly rewarding experience.

RFDS thanks Don Anderson after 27 years voluntary service

After 27 years volunteering at the regular RFDS Primary Health Clinic at Payne’s Find in the Mid West, Don Anderson is taking a well-earned rest.

Don has been an enormous help to RFDS patients and crews over almost three decades, from helping move medical gear, to working on reception and providing a welcome ride from the airstrip to the clinic for our crews.

In 1995, Don had a life changing experience when he was bitten by a king brown snake. He was on the brink of death when he was retrieved by the RFDS who took him to Perth for treatment from Golden Grove airstrip. This traumatic experience changed Don’s life forever. Since then, he’s faced plenty of health repercussions but has enjoyed life immensely and has dedicated his life to helping people in need. Don and his wife Rhonda previously lived at Burnerbinmah Station in the Shire of Yalgoo, but retired to Toodyay eight years ago. Despite the move, he didn’t stop volunteering at Payne’s Find, making the long drive north each month to help RFDS doctor Christine McConnell with health clinics.

As well as volunteering for the RFDS, Don has been a great supporter of healthcare in the region as a board member for Meekatharra Hospital and the Shire of Yalgoo, advocating for more services in the region. Living on the station all those years ago means Don is well acquainted with RFDS medical chests – lockable steel containers containing a wide range of medicines, to enable emergency and non-emergency treatment for people living and working in extreme isolation from professional medical care. A person needing medical help can receive advice from an RFDS doctor via telephone who prescribes appropriate medication from the on-site chest.

“Having an RFDS medical chest can mean the difference between life or death. I’ve witnessed the medical chests save life after life. If you’ve been through it, you’d understand,” Don said.

From all of us at the RFDS, our heartfelt thanks and appreciation for all your hard work and support over the years. Thank you, Don!

There for you. With your support, the Flying Doctor is able to respond to the evolving health needs of Western Australians. Donate at: rfdswa.com.au/autumn

Image: Don Anderson and RFDS Doctor Christine McConnell.

Image left: Don Anderson, Rhonda Anderson and RFDS WA CEO Judith Barker ASM.

Farming rescue in the Great Southern

Albany mum-of-three, Kate Mitchell, was looking forward to morning tea and her boys having a nap after a busy Monday morning on the farm.

“Mummy, mummy! Come look at Darcy!” Kate recalls three-year-old Harry calling out to her. Kate said she found her 18-month-old baby boy in a way that parents never hope to find their child.

“Darcy was blue and frothing at the mouth. I kicked into gear and started CPR and I got him back, but it felt like an eternity. I called an ambulance and threw him in the ute to get help,” she said.

Two weeks later and Darcy suffered another seizure. The family found out later Darcy had suffered a tonic-clonic seizure, also known as a grand mal seizure, usually caused by epilepsy.

“Time is not your friend when your baby is experiencing seizures and you desperately need answers,” Kate said.

“Driving five hours to Perth or flying commercially with no medical support wasn’t an option, so

we decided to head straight to Albany Hospital.

“We knew at the hospital that we were in the right place if something was to happen.”

The next morning while at Albany Hospital, Kate says Darcy experienced another seizure, his third in two weeks.

“He was screaming, it was really scary,” she said. “I ran into the corridor and screamed for help.”

Hours later, Kate and Darcy were making their way to Perth Children’s Hospital onboard an RFDS aircraft under the watchful eye of a doctor and flight nurse who monitored Darcy throughout the flight.

“I don’t know how to explain how grateful I am to Pilot Matt, Nurse Ali and Doctor Albi for getting us so quickly and safely to a pediatric neurologist in Perth,” Kate said.

“I was so well cared for and supported during this emotional time. They knew how everything was heightened for me and they were so calm and reassuring. I knew they understood the situation and I felt safe.

“Also, I can’t believe how small the plane is and how much equipment is in there and how the doctors and nurses work in such a small space!” After spending a week at Perth Children’s Hospital undergoing tests, Darcy was discharged. He is medicated twice daily for epilepsy and Kate carries an emergency drug with her.

“Although I was terrified about coming back to the farm, I knew I had the medication we needed, some answers, first-aid training and the support of the RFDS –our angels in the sky. I’m glad our family is back in our happy place.”

You take the RFDS for granted until you need it. When you do, it’s comforting to know we can live out here and help will come in your worst hour. Our family knows the RFDS has our back.

The power of your support. You are the driving force behind the Flying Doctor. With your help, our crews are equipped to continue to provide world-class care to more people in regional WA. Donate at:

Scan to watch Darcy’s retrieval story

Karleigh Barbour reflects on working on Country

“It is our responsibility to educate ourselves on Australia’s historical events to acknowledge and understand what Indigenous Australians went through,” she said. “Educating myself and understanding what intergenerational trauma looks like has helped me build everlasting relationships with my patients in remote communities where I feel accepted and welcome.

“Patients are more likely to attend a clinic and access care without shame or fear when they feel and know their caregivers understand their cultural needs.

“Building trust between the patient and the clinician sits at the heart of delivering culturally safe, secure and competent healthcare.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service WA Dental Assistant and Quality Lead for Dental Karleigh Barbour says she is incredibly privileged to travel and work in some of the world’s most remote and vulnerable Aboriginal communities in Western Australia.

Karleigh works in a team of RFDS primary healthcare clinicians who are committed to developing strong relationships and trust in these communities.

Since commencing with the RFDS in 2017, Karleigh travels to the Goldfields, Mid West and Kimberley to provide free dental treatment, preventative care and health education.

One of the most remote locations Karleigh visits is Wiluna, a small town situated on the edge of Western Desert and Warburton in the Ngaanyatjarra Lands.

Through her experiences on the frontline, Karleigh says education, empathy and listening has been vital to her personal journey of reconciliation.

To me this is reconciliation.

Recognising the crucial importance of delivering culturally safe, secure and competent care to her patients, Karleigh has gone one step further by sharing her knowledge and developing educational resources to empower new RFDS clinicians.

“The RFDS is in a unique and privileged position to progress reconciliation as we operate on the forefront of addressing Indigenous health needs in partnership with local Aboriginal Medical Services,” she said.

“Ensuring health equity for our First Nations people living in remote WA communities is an immense responsibility, highly rewarding and meaningful work. It’s important to continue to build on what we are doing now, there’s so much more we can be doing.”

The RFDS provides free dental health clinics in regional and remote WA communities in partnership with the Commonwealth, with strong support from local shires. Since 2012, the Flying Doctor has partnered with Karara Mining Limited to provide residents living in the Mid West access to free dental services 25 weeks of the year. Karara Mining is the founding partner of the RFDS’ purpose-built mobile dental van which delivers free dental services to residents in the Shires of Perenjori, Morawa and Mingenew in the Mid West.

I show respect to Indigenous peoples, respect to country and respect to the land I am on, walking side by side with my patients to build powerful relationships and a better path ahead.

The Queen of Corrigin’s royal helicopter ride

When long-time Corrigin resident and family matriarch Josephine ‘Josie’ Hovell (85) felt faint last June, she called her friend and neighbour Edith Carruthers to take her to the local district hospital. Known to her family as the ‘Queen of Corrigin’ for her involvement in local community life, Josie is a breast cancer survivor who underwent open heart surgery in 2015, lives alone and doesn’t take any chances when it comes to her health.

At Corrigin Hospital, a telehealth video conference with a Perth doctor was quickly arranged. Given Josie’s medical history, the doctor wasted no time in deciding Josie needed to travel to Perth immediately!

Corrigin is over 220kms from Perth and two and a half hours away by car. With time being of the essence, the doctor called the RFDS for help.

Josie was relieved when the nurse told her she would be transferred by the RFDS to Perth. But when the local ambulance took her to Corrigin oval instead of Corrigin airstrip, Josie was surprised to discover she would be travelling to Perth by helicopter and not a fixedwing plane which her late husband and many local friends and family members had done before.

“I have lived in the country all my life and have always supported and fundraised for the Royal Flying Doctor Service but didn’t realise they now had a helicopter, let alone being the first person from Corrigin to be transferred in it” exclaimed Josie.

“I was a little nervous at first, but the pilot, doctor and nurse were just so wonderful, we are so lucky to have the RFDS in WA”

“As I continue to age, it is comforting to know I don’t have to move to Perth permanently to have quick access to the care I need.

“My three children, six grandchildren, and 13 (almost 14) greatgrandchildren live all over regional WA, so it is important to me that the RFDS is here to look after them for many generations to come, just like they have done for me.”

Launched in May 2022, the RFDS Fortescue Heli Med Service retrieves patients from up to 250kms from Perth and delivers them directly to the roof of Perth’s major hospitals, saving critical time and getting patients to hospital faster.

The RFDS is such an essential service for country people like me.

Josie with Rotary Pilot Jim McGuire who originally retrieved her, and Doctor John Iliff.

The Fortescue Heli Med Service EC145 Helicopter departing Corrigin oval with Josie and the RFDS crew on board.

Incredible community support

Friends of the RFDS WA

The Friends of the Royal Flying Doctor Service has been supporting RFDS WA for over 30 years and have raised $1M for vital equipment and services.

Clarabelle the Cow: Brunswick Agricultural Show

The incredibly generous Brunswick Show community donated $40,000 to RFDS WA in October last year.

The Brunswick Agricultural Society’s show celebrated rural emergency services and raised a record breaking $25,000 from the auctioning off of Clarabelle the Charity Cow.

Gibb Challenge

Western Australians are very generous. We are unbelievably grateful for the support of communities across the State, from Perth to Kalgoorlie, up to the Kimberley and everywhere in between. We have highlighted a few wonderful groups who continue to bring their community together for some fun and to raise vital funds for the RFDS in WA.

RFDS Eastern Goldfields Auxiliary

The mighty members of the RFDS Eastern Goldfields Auxiliary have reached a massive $1M! The dynamo auxiliary members fundraise all year round, with member Maureen (centre) celebrating 40 years of being as part of the auxiliary.

Esperance RFDS

Outback Air Race

The Outback Air Race is held every three years for small aircraft and attracts competitors from around Australia. All teams fundraise for the RFDS in the twelve months leading up to the race. In late 2022, the event raised a whopping $750,000 for the RFDS Australia-wide, with $200,000 going to services here in WA. The first Outback Air Race was held in 1996.

The Gibb Challenge is an annual mountain bike event in the Kimberley that has raised a mammoth $3 million for the RFDS in WA. The Gibb Challenge is led by Simon and Anna Rimmer and runby volunteers, with all proceeds going to charity. The Flying Doctor has had the privilege as the sole beneficiary 14 out of the last 15 years. To find out more information, visit thegibbchallenge.com.au

Auxiliary wood cutting services raises thousands of dollars

Fifteen years ago, a group of Esperance volunteers began meeting once a week to chop donated timber. The wood is cut, sold and delivered to residents as firewood with all proceeds going to the RFDS. Neil Livingstone started the group and says they have donated more than $700,000

Image (L-R): Verna, Kerry, Robin Marg (President), Brenda, Margaret, Lesley, Maureen and Joy.

Recipes from our family to yours

This carrot cake recipe is a winner! It is easy to make and pretty much fail-proof…my kind of recipe. When this cake arrives on the table in the Port Hedland RFDS base it is, often, all gone within a few hours –especially if there are visiting crews coming through. You know who you are…” Erica

Wilson – RFDS Flight Nurse, Port Hedland

Carrot Cake

Ingredients

2 cups plain flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

½ teaspoon fine sea salt

1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 ¼ cups canola oil

200g white sugar

200g brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

4 large eggs, at room temperature

300g grated carrots

50g sunflower seeds

50g pumpkin (pepita) seeds

Directions

1 Heat oven to 180°C

2. Grease and flour a 22cm round cake tin.

3. Sift flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a medium bowl.

4. In a separate bowl, whisk the oil, sugar, brown sugar and vanilla.

5. Add the eggs, one at a time, while still mixing the wet ingredients.

6. Gradually stir in dry ingredients until batter is smooth.

7. Gently mix in carrots and seeds until evenly dispersed.

8. Pour the batter into the prepared cake tin and cook until a skewer comes out clean – about 40 minutes.

9. Cool cake in the tin for about 10-15 minutes then turn it out onto a cooling rack until completely cool.

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Quench your thirst wherever you are. Thanks to your purchase, no matter where you choose to live, work and holiday in WA, you can rely on the Flying Doctor. View our full range of merchandise at rfdswa.com.au/collections/all

Acknowledgement 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 their continuing connection to the lands, seas and skies of Western Australia.

Contact Royal Flying Doctor Service (Western Australia)

3 Eagle Drive Jandakot WA 6164

T: (08) 9417 6400

E: fundraise@rfdswa.com.au

Emergency: 1800 625 800

rfdswa.com.au