Hugh Schuitemaker, Murray Pioneer
A well-known Riverlander who has overseen the expansion of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) in the region is set to retire from his senior role.
Current RFDS Riverland Support Group president Alan Eckermann will retire from the position at the end of this month.
Mr Eckermann – who has been in the role for more than 30 years – said increasing community awareness for the service was an early goal.
“I was asked to be president at the end of 1991,” Mr Eckermann said.
“I was lucky that I had a good secretary and treasurer, in Joy Ruston and Maureen Brauer.
“It was difficult to get recognition for the RFDS. I knew virtually nothing about them except they flew around up north, but I learned very quickly what was involved with it.
“There was a plane coming into Renmark then, but not very often, and that was why they wanted to get a group going here”¦ through the years it expanded.”
Mr Eckermann said support for the RFDS had since reached high levels across the region.
“I started with about nine on the committee”¦ then I decided everyone who wanted to be involved would be on the committee,” he said.
“We would get $9000 or $10,000 a year and thought that was pretty good, and now it’s up towards $70,000 and $80,000.
“The last couple of years it’s been over $100,000 because of fundraising for the transfer facility, which the Riverland supported magnificently.”
Mr Eckermann said seeing the construction and completion of the RFDS Patient Transfer Facility, located at the Renmark airport, had been a personal highlight
“It’s a jewel for the Riverland, there’s no doubt about that.”
“It’s not just about the patients, it’s about the ambos. They would be standing out there sometimes in 40C or 50C heat.
“Now it’s more comfortable. It’s only three or four minutes into the plane.
“It’s the only one at this stage truly dedicated for RFDS service, and I don’t think they can improve it.”
Mr Eckermann said locals with an interest in the service were encouraged to join the group’s committee.
“I feel there could be a need for a new (perspective) and I would like to see a few more medium-aged people come on the committee,” he said.
“Someone who’s had a bit of experience with the RFDS, and passion for the service would be ideal.”
Mr Eckermann said the service was vital for Riverlanders needing emergency medical care.
“I’ve been out there once and there’s been three planes there,” he said.
“People come and say thanks for the RFDS for saving someone’s life. That’s the joy I can say I got from being president.
“I always like to talk about statistics, because that’s a very big part of what the RFDS does.”
“Even in the Riverland we’ve had up to 700 landings in a year. A lot of people don’t know, and a lot of people find it hard to believe.”
Mr Eckermann said the efforts of numerous RFDS Riverland Support Group members had also been key to his success.
The RFDS Riverland Support Group AGM will be held at the Berri Hotel, on Thursday 25 July, at 4.30pm, with the president, secretary and treasurer roles all open for nominations.
This article appeared in the Murray Pioneer, 3 July 2024.
