RFDS News & Audio Resources: Recent Episodes
RFDS of Australia
In this 3 part-series, you’ll hear the stories of 3 different nursing careers from within the organization - from an outback flight nurse, to a male flight nurse and a former nurse, now our CEO. This time, you’ll hear from RFDS Queensland Section CEO, Meredith Staib who started out her career as a retrieval nurse on the Sunshine Coast. There are two consistent themes in Meredith’s career – medicine and aviation. In this interview, you'll hear more about her journey from retrieval nurse to CEO.
In this 3 part-series, you’ll hear the stories of 3 different nursing careers from within the organization - from an outback flight nurse, to a male flight nurse and a former nurse, now our CEO. This time, you’ll hear from Charleville based Flight Nurse, Courtney Bylett. Courtney grew up in the city, but always longed to be on the family property. She started her nursing career in the remote regions of Western Australia, before returning home to Queensland to join the Flying Doctor. She’s now been with the service 8 years and says she’s learnt a lot in her time. Listen to the podcast to hear more about her phenomenal career.
In this 3 part-series, you’ll hear the stories of 3 different nursing careers from within the organisation - from an outback flight nurse, to a male flight nurse and a former nurse, now our CEO. First up is RFDS Flight Nurse Hayden Wilson. Men make up only 11% of the nursing workforce in Australia, so Hayden has often been in the minority throughout his career. But, growing up on Norfolk Island, he always knew nursing was the career for him – helping out the local ambulance service whenever he could and taking first aid courses with the cadets. From there he’s come a long way – and he’s now an RFDS Flight Nurse and has been with the Service in Rockhampton for 2 years and his wife is also a flight nurse with the RFDS, together they have a beautiful baby girl. Listen to the podcast to hear his journey to becoming an RFDS Flight Nurse.
Everyone knows that kids like to ask questions, and the topic of the Coronavirus is no exception! So, we thought we’d answer a few of them with the help of RFDS (Queensland Section) Head Medical Consultant Dr Katie Clift. Thanks to 8yo Ellie from Brisbane, Harry from Rockhampton, 15 year old Scott and 12 yo Max and Charlie from Wrotham Park Station as well as 5yo Ellie and 9yo Robert from Gilberton Station.
As the numbers of people testing positive for Coronavirus rise around the world, so too are many people’s anxiety levels. So how can you protect your mental health and that of your family, friends and colleagues as we deal with the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic? Dr Tim Driscoll, the Clinical Lead for the RFDS (Queensland Section) Outback Mental Health Team, has some valuable tips and advice. Find more information on COVID-19 here: https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert If you or anyone you know needs help you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or contact them via their website: https://www.lifeline.org.au/get-help/online-services/crisis-chat
Dr Katie Clift is the Head Medical Consultant for the RFDS (Queensland Section), today, she’s joining us on the podcast to give us some helpful information around COVID-19 & what steps you should be taking if you're living or working in a remote, rural or regional area. For more information head here: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19 *This podcast is intended for general information only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have any concerns, consult your local GP or health professional.
Terry Latchman is one of the RFDS (Queensland Section)pilots in Rockhampton. He always wanted to fly, but actually went to university to study mechanical engineering. He dropped out before gaining his degree and then spent years working in a completely unrelated field before saving up the money to gain his pilot’s licence. He’s now been with the RFDS for 5 and a half years. This is his story.
David started his career on a property in the Gulf Country of North West Queensland, mustering cattle – flying at high speeds only 10-50 feet off the ground with no help from technology. His varied career in aviation has also seen him work as a Coast Watch Pilot on Thursday Island and later spend 20 years flying long haul for Qantas and also fly for Air Vanuatu. He’s now the Senior Base Pilot in Mount Isa for the RFDS (Queensland Section), this is his story!
The RFDS is home to some of the most highly regarded pilots in the world. Their skill and expertise are second to none, but many of them didn’t start their careers in aviation. Many of them have had very successful careers in completely unrelated fields. One of them is Brisbane Senior Base Pilot, Steve Wallace, who had a 10 year career in banking before deciding to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a pilot. He's now been with the Flying Doctor for just as long!
The Routes to the Runway Series from the Royal Flying Doctor (Queensland Section) podcast is giving you access to some of the most highly skilled & experienced pilots in the world. In this episode, you’ll hear Victoria Harrison’s story. Victoria was only the 10th female pilot to graduate into the Royal Australian Air Force. She spent 18 years flying VIPs out of Canberra, then went on to fly Caribou aircraft in Timor & Papua New Guinea, before becoming a flying instructor. She’s now a pilot for the RFDS Queensland Section in Townsville and this years marks her 10th with the organization. This is her story.
The RFDS Queensland Section’s 20 strong fleet is kept in the sky by our team of 70 highly skilled pilots. They are all the best at what they do, but how their stories and how they came to their careers in aviation are often completely different. In the Routes to the Runway series we’ll hear some of the stories and get to know some of the pilots who help keep the Doctor flying. Charleville Senior Base pilot, Nick Tully grew up on a station between Quilpie and Windorah in Western Queensland. As one of 10 children, the Flying Doctor was frequently called upon. Nick now flies for the Service in Charleville, close to where he grew up and often flies people he’s known his whole life. Listen to the podcast to hear more of his story and what it’s like to fly for the service.
Greg King is the Royal Flying Doctor’s longest serving remote pilot in Queensland. He’s flown over 1.6 million nautical miles – which is the equivalent of four return trips to the moon! Now, though after close to 20 years in Mount Isa, he’s hanging up his wings and heading out of town.