Flying doctors a tourist attraction

Press, 24 May 1988, Page 11

Flying doctors a tourist attraction

Kate Wellings, Dr Chris Randall, David Gibson and the others at Cooper’s Crossing hold the attention of a large number of New Zealanders when “The Flying Doctors” screens on Two on Tuesday evenings. While the storylines are fictional, the series is based on the real Royal Flying Doctor Service, which provides a lifeline to vast areas of the Australian Outback. Greig McAllan, of the Australian Tourist Commission’s New Zealand office, says that it is easy for New Zealanders on holiday in Australia to meet flying doctor staff

and to see how the extraordinary service operates.

“Several of the Royal Flying Doctor Service bases are open to visitors and staff give a warm welcome, in the spirit of Outback friendship,” he notes.

“You come away awed from spending an hour with these people, both because of the enormity of the Outback and because of the dedication of everyone involved.” Among Royal Flying Doctor bases open to visitors are those at Kalgoorlie, in the Goldfields region of Western Australia; Alice Springs, in

the “Red Centre,” Northern Territory; and Broken Hili, in the .far west of New South Wales. Broken Hill is on the trans-continental rail line and is easily reached by air from both Sydney and Adelaide. The Flying Doctor base in this mining centre is responsible for the welfare of people on about 400 station properties and in settlements and camps scattered throughout the Outback. Visitors can watch a doctor giving long-range diagnosis and advice on treatment, referring to the famous medical kit with its code-numbered

medications. Maps show the vastness of the doctor’s “patch,” while there are also photographs and other displays. Outside, on the tarmac, the Flying Doctor plane sits waiting for an urgent call or preparing for the more usual task of routine house calls. In Alice Springs, the Flying Doctor base offers half-hourly tours from Monday through to Saturday. In Alice it is alsopossible to visit the church built as a memorial to the Reverend John Flynn; the flying doctor concept was Flynn of the Outback’s brainchild.