Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS), Queensland Section
The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) (Queensland Section) is marking the momentous 80-year anniversary of its Charleville Base this October.
Established in 1943, the Charleville Base services a waiting room of more than 622,000 square kilometres, connecting the residents of this significant South-West Queensland region to leading, and often lifesaving, health services.
From saving a seven-year-old stroke sufferer to emergency trauma revival on helicopter crash victims and everything in between, the dedicated RFDS Charleville team have seen it all.
Over the past 14 years alone, RFDS Charleville has treated more than 56,000 patients across more than 6,700 clinics and undertaken 8,200 transfers. In fact, during this same period, the Charleville fleet has flown almost 6.5 million kilometres – the equivalent of eight return trips to
the moon.
RFDS (Queensland Section) Chief Executive Officer Meredith Staib said Charleville held a special place in the fabric of the Flying Doctor’s heritage.
“Charleville’s 80-year anniversary marks a momentous milestone, not just for the Flying Doctor as a near-100-year organisation, but more importantly, the hundreds of thousands of Queenslanders living in regional, rural and remote parts of the state,” Ms Staib said.
“As the longest serving RFDS Base in Australia, it’s rare to find a local Charleville resident who hasn’t been touched by the services of The Flying Doctor at some point in their lives – be it general GP check-ups and vaccinations right through to harrowing life and death emergency
situations.
“The 80th anniversary of Charleville also serves as an important moment to recognise the hard work and commitment of the team who turn up day in and day out to serve their community.”
Established in 1928 by the Reverend John Flynn from Cloncurry, Queensland, the RFDS has grown to become one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive aeromedical organisations.
The Charleville Base provides a range of essential medical services including primary health clinics, patient transfers and emergency aeromedical retrievals to those living, working, and travelling across the region.
In addition to its critical medical services, the Charleville Base is also home to Queensland’s only RFDS Visitor Centre. The modern tourist precinct educates guests about the origins of the Flying Doctor and the evolution of the outback service, paying tribute to its remarkable history.
In Queensland, the RFDS operates from nine bases at Brisbane, Bundaberg, Cairns, Charleville, Longreach, Mount Isa, Rockhampton, Roma, and Townsville.
Twenty year anniversary of two RFDS nurses
As part of the 80-year anniversary, the RFDS (Queensland Section) will also celebrate the individual 20-year anniversary of two of its nurses, Joanne Mahony and Diane Dowrick.
Charleville Nurse Manager reflects on twenty years of service
RFDS Nurse Manager Joanne Mahony said 20 years simply flies by when working in a community like Charleville, whose locals epitomise the resilient, kind-natured, and easy-going persona Queenslanders are renowned for.
“The best part of my job is the people I get to interact with day in and day out – those I work with, those we service, and those we just say hello to on the street,” Ms Mahony said.
“I consider myself lucky to be part of the RFDS for over two decades because of the lasting relationships and connections with our thousands of patients in this area.
“I have so much pride in the Charleville team past and current, knowing that no matter how isolated someone is within our patch of Queensland, we’re there to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”
Growing up on a rural farm, Joanne had an early exposure to healthcare. From helping with livestock medical procedures to listening to stories from her mother’s years as a nurse, she knew she’d pursue a career in healing.
Rural placements during her nursing education only deepened this commitment, allowing her to deliver much needed healthcare services to remote communities.
It was this, and her strong belief that where you live shouldn’t negatively impact your access to quality health care, that drew her to the RFDS.
“No two days are ever the same. One day, you’re grappling with the aftermath of heart-wrenching medical trauma, and the next, you’re assisting in the miracle of bringing a new life into the world.”
“It’s impossible to put into words the magnitude of the privilege of being part of someone’s life journey from their first breath.
“I’ve cradled newborns and now I am witnessing them as young adults starting families of their own.”
Over the past 14 years alone, RFDS Charleville has treated more than 56,000 patients across more than 6,700 clinics and undertaken 8,200 transfers.
Her role has evolved with the changing landscape of healthcare in Charleville. While once working on local farm-side injuries and as a point of contact for emergency care, Joanne now embraces a range of specialised responsibilities such as midwifery, antenatal care, and child health.
Reflecting on these changes, Joanne notes how the service has had to quickly adapt.
“The demand for rural medical care has surged in recent years, and we’ve risen to meet it.
“Annual flying hours have soared from a humble 800 to an astonishing 2,600, addressing the expanding needs of our community.
“Our scope has also widened to encompass more preventative and chronic health management, aiming to be there for every stage of life.”
From morning tea rosters to the famed ‘Bush Telegraph’, the Charleville community’s unwavering support of the RFDS is deeply entrenched.
“They’re not just the people we serve; they’re our family,” Joanne said.
“From dawn till dusk, they stand by us, ensuring we have the resources we need.
“Working with, and for this incredible group of people, is an honour beyond words.”
Joanne continues to play a key role at the RFDS Charleville Base, servicing a waiting room of more than 622,000 square kilometres in Queensland, and providing a range of essential medical services to those living, working, and travelling across the region.
Celebrating a Flight Nurse’s twenty years of sky-high dedication
Diane Dowrick’s journey with the RFDS began when the then Charleville Base Manager asked if she had ever considered becoming a flight nurse. Having only just relocated to the regional town for a job at the local hospital, she thought the role might be beyond her grasp. But, with a newfound desire to take on new challenges, she knew it was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up.
Reflecting on her early years at Charleville Base, Diane fondly recalls one of her most memorable experiences – a solo retrieval mission involving a colleague.
“During one of my initial shifts, my colleague, expecting twins, went into early labour,” Dowrick recounted.
“Without a second thought, I found myself on my first solo retrieval, transferring her to a Brisbane hospital,” Diane said.
“By the time I returned to Charleville, the twins had made their entrance into the world and today, those twins are twenty years old, and we still remain in touch.”
Over the years, Diane’s role has transcended traditional flight nursing, encompassing vital responsibilities as a continence nurse and lactation consultant, showcasing her versatility and unwavering commitment to comprehensive care.
She has become the linchpin for field days and an active member of the Outside Channel Country Ladies Day Committee, an initiative close to her heart that generously supports the RFDS through raising funds.
As the Charleville Base marks its 80th year, the magnitude of this milestone is not lost on Diane.
“We remain hopeful for the future, that this service will continue to support our community,” Diane said.
“Without it, countless lives would be profoundly affected because we stand as a lifeline, especially for those dealing with chronic diseases, during emergencies and in support of everyday health needs.
“Charleville recognises our significance too; that we’re an integral part of this community.
“The town rallies behind us and understands that without these services, the local population would face significant challenges.”
Over the past 14 years alone, RFDS Charleville has treated more than 56,000 patients across more than 6,700 clinics and undertaken 8,200 transfers.
“I love rural communities and the diverse range of areas we get to work in,” Diane said.
“Being a familiar face in times of crisis is not only reassuring for the communities, but it also underscores the deep sense of trust we share.
“I feel very privileged to be able to work with these families and in this setting.
“Reflecting on these years, I am astounded by this momentous occasion and to be here for two decades and still love my job is a gift.
“In twenty years, it’s impossible to quantify the number of lives touched.
“It is an honour beyond measure.”
Diane continues to play a key role at the RFDS Charleville Base, servicing a waiting room of more than 622,000 square kilometres in Queensland, and providing a range of essential medical services to those living, working, and travelling across the region.
