DO you have a good yarn, a telling photo, or poignant piece of artwork depicting life in the bush? If so, the Royal Flying Doctors and Country Women's Association want to hear from you.
The two organisations have teamed up to mark the Flying Doctors' 90th anniversary, launching a legacy project called A Darn Good Yarn to uncover the best 'yarns' about the Flying Doctor Service and the spirit of country Australia.
The theme for all entries is The Flying Doctor, and the team is looking for content that details the Australian bush, the Flying Doctors work, and life in remote communities.
"The Flying Doctor holds a unique and integral role to those living and working in rural and remote areas and a special place in the hearts of country Australians," said RFDS spokesperson Lana Mitchell.
"We are looking for stories from the bush about the Flying Doctor, how people have shown their support and what life is like for those that rely on its services."
There are no limitations on entries, with participants encouraged to be creative and original. Poetry, anecdotes, photos, quotes, stories, paintings and even favourite recipes are all welcome.
The best 'yarns' will be published in a book that will be sold nationally to raise money for the RFDS and CWA.
Entries close August 31 with the best to be published for sale by October 2018.
Submit your 'darn good yarn' to web@rfds.org.au with the subject 'darn good yarn' or post to PO Box 4350 Kingston, ACT, 2604.
90th birthday celebrations
In May over 40 antique aircrafts took to the skies as part of the 90th Anniversary Antique Air Pilgrimage.
Travelling for nine days across the magnificent rural landscapes of NSW and QLD, from Dubbo to Mount Isa, the planes stopped over in nine townships all serviced by the RFDS.
The pilgrimage finishes with a re-creation of the first Flying Doctor flight that took place on the May 17, 1928. The re-enactment followed the original flight path from Cloncurry to Julia Creek.
And in late August the Royal Flying Doctor Service exhibit is set to open at the National Museum of Australia, capturing the history and progress of the RFDS.
From a single leased Qantas plane called 'Victory' that first took flight for the Flying Doctor in 1928. The RFDS now have a fleet of 69 planes and 115 road service vehicles that deliver emergency medical care and primary health services to more than 330,000 Australians every year.
To get involved in the 90th year for the Flying Doctor, to find out other events that are happening near you visit www.flyingdoctor.org.au
Off to a flying start
The Royal Flying Doctor Service is one of the largest and most comprehensive aeromedical organisations in the world, providing extensive primary health care and 24-hour emergency service over an area of 7.69 million square kilometres.
The service, which turns 90 this year, owes its creation to Presbyterian minister Rev John Flynn.
In 1917, stockman Jimmy Darcy died after he was injured near Halls Creek in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. This ignited a national debate over the lack of medical services to the outback.
That same year Flynn received a letter from Victorian medical student and aviator Lieutenant Clifford Peel.
Peel suggested the use of aircraft to bridge the vast distances of the interior; shot down in action over France shortly after, Peel never knew that his letter became a blueprint for the creation of the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Flynn started his 10-year campaign to provide an aerial medical service and to fulfil his vision for a 'mantle of safety' for the people of the outback.
In 1925, met Alfred Traeger, an Adelaide engineer, who was employed as a radio expert and electrician by AIM to develop Morse code communications across large distances.
On 15 May 1928, Flynn's dream became a reality when a long time supporter, H.V. (Hugh) McKay, left a large bequest for 'an aerial experiment'.
This enabled Flynn to open the Australian Inland Mission Aerial Medical Service (later to be renamed the Royal Flying Doctor Service). The first Flying Doctor took flight on May 17, 1928 in a single engine leased Qantas plane from Cloncurry, Queensland.
