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!