A few weeks ago I was down in Cloncurry checking out the inspirational story of John Flynn and how his drive, vision, energy and commitment led to the founding of the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
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The RFDS has a long and illustrious history and is intimately connected with the history and growth of this region providing reliable medical services to remote areas.
But the RFDS is not just about history – it is very much a part of the present – and as the service celebrated its 88th birthday on Tuesday I was proud to attend the inaugural Local Hero awards and morning tea held at the Mount Isa hangar.
The awards were held simultaneously in Mount Isa, Brisbane, Charleville, Rockhampton, Bundaberg, Cairns and Townsville to thank and acknowledge those outstanding individuals who tirelessly and selflessly support the work of the RFDS in their region.
Adel’s Grove manager Michelle Low Mow was the inspiration for the idea of the awards.
Ms Low Mow used her first aid skills to save a patient last year when a man collapsed at the park,
As the RFDS night crew prepared for departure, an on-duty doctor provided advice over the phone as Michelle administered CPR with defibrillation with the help of two nurses visiting the site.
The patient responded well and the RFDS transferred him to Townsville where he made a full recovery.
While Michelle was winning a national award, Pam Forster was winning the first Mount Isa Local Hero award.
The owner of the Urandangi pub, in a remote part of the north-west 200km away from Mount Isa, could not be present at the awards but the RFDS said she was busy doing the thing she was nominated for – hosting a remote health clinic at the pub.
In such a tiny community Pam’s work responding to emergencies and being the first point of call for the RDFS is absolutely vital and literally life-saving
I congratulate the award winners and RFDS for taking this step to acknowledge our true “local heroes”.
See photos from the day online and in Saturday’s paper.
Derek Barry