RFDS partnership with Senex delivers medical chests across rural Queensland

Senex Energy collaborating with the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) to distribute medical chests to communities across rural Queensland.

The news came in the same week that the service celebrated Flying Doctor Day, which occurs on 17 May each year.

The medical chests contain life-saving first-aid and medication that can be used by community members to provide medical assistance while they wait for RFDS aircraft to arrive. It is the second time the energy company has partnered with the RFDS in Queensland, and one of several partnerships extending back to 2013 in South Australia.

The flying doctors are a big part of life in regional Australia, providing an essential service across many rural and remote locations that are not otherwise well-served by emergency services.

Founded by Reverend John Flynn, the first flying doctor journey departed from Cloncurry, Queensland on 17 May 1928. Initially called the Aerial Medical Service, it has been an Australian institution ever since, with a team of 300 staff providing a 24-hour service to more than 320,000 people each year.

“The RFDS Medical Chest program is just another way the Flying Doctor has bridged the tyranny of distance when it comes to delivering timely emergency care to people in the furthest corners of the state,” said Meredith Staib, RFDS Chief Executive for Queensland.

“We are extremely grateful for Senex Energy’s support in helping us deliver this care to the people of outback Queensland.”

Last year, Senex made a $300,000 sponsorship commitment to the RFDS, extending its partnership to $1 million over almost 10 years.

“We take our responsibility to help people and communities seriously. All of us at Senex are excited to be continuing our support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service and help deliver health care to locals, workers and visitors in rural, remote and regional areas,” said Senex MD and CEO Ian Davies.

Recently, Brighter held the In.Site Photography Awards, which raised $5,000 for the RFDS. For more information about Australia’s flying doctors, visit here.