Support for the Royal Flying Doctor Service continues to soar with Bundaberg Regional Council recently donating $50,000 to assist the local organisation and its lifesaving services.
Over the years, Council has contributed more than $200,000 to help keep the Flying Doctor in the sky.
Royal Flying Doctor Service Partnerships Specialist (Queensland Section) Lynda Inglis thanked Council for the ongoing support.
“The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) (Queensland Section) is grateful for the ongoing support of the Bundaberg Regional Council, including its recent contribution of $50,000 to this vital service,” Lynda said.
“In the past 12 months (1 May 2023 to 30 April 2024), the RFDS has landed over 2,980 times at the Bundaberg Airport.
“The RFDS Bundaberg Base Crew have transported more than 2,040 patients and flown in excess of 810,000 kilometres to support the residents and local region needing aeromedical transfers to specialist care in a time of their need.”
Previous support from Council includes the donation of a parcel of land for the latest RFDS flight training centre.
“The RFDS has also recently completed the construction of the RFDS Bundaberg Aviation Training Academy,” Lynda said.
“This world-class facility houses one of the world’s only Beechcraft King Air B360 flight training simulators, which will meet the RFDS's pilot training needs and create a sustainable commercial opportunity for the RFDS in the future.”
Bundaberg Mayor Helen Blackburn said Council had been supporting the RFDS annually for several years, through donation of land for RFDS developments and also contributing over $200,000 in direct financial support.
“We take immense pride in hosting the RFDS base here in the Bundaberg Region,” Mayor Blackburn said.
“The organisation delivers a lifesaving service that not only supports our own residents, but also those in neighbouring communities.
“Through its aeromedical base and the new training facility, the RFDS has made a significant investment in our region’s future.”
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