About the Collaboration
OBE Organic is proud to be Australia’s oldest and most trusted organic beef marketing company, founded in the pure heart of Australia. Our business was founded in the 1990s by a group of pastoralists who were passionate about our nation’s unique Channel Country.
We’re excited to launch a new collaboration with the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section), a not-for-profit organisation which delivers a broad range of essential healthcare services to rural and remote communities, including general practice, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, child and family health, social and emotional wellbeing, women’s health and health promotion.
About Royal Flying Doctors Service
The RFDS delivers healthcare where mainstream health services are not available, using the latest in aviation, medical and communications technology and a broad-reaching ground-service fleet. The RFDS provides a lifeline for people like OBE Organic producers, who live, work and travel in remote Australia.
In Queensland, the RFDS provides excellence in, and access to primary health care and aeromedical services across the state. Their emergency retrieval service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, delivering more than 12,500 patient transfers each year. The RFDS (Queensland Section) is one of the largest primary health care providers in Australia. Last year almost half of the services delivered were from the Primary Health Care team delivering more than 16,466 consultations by RFDS GP and nurse clinics, 18,720 consultations by RFDS mental health clinicians, 2,850 consultations from their dental service, 2,882 immunisations and more than 23,463 calls via telehealth services. These services are vital to rural and remote communities and are providing holistic and preventative care to patients to reduce their need for a specialist or emergency retrieval.
RFDS (Queensland Section) primary health care services include:
- general practice
- child and family health
- women’s health
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health
- mental health
- health promotion
- oral health.
To contact an RFDS (Queensland Section) primary health care clinic visit http://tinyurl.com/mrx3kex2.
The RFDS (Queensland Section) delivers GP, nursing, dental and mental health services to rural and remote communities. Last year alone, more than 26,500 consultations were provided across Queensland.
Dr Tim Driscoll and the RFDS mental health team provide over 12,000 consultations annually. Their free “Mental Health and Wellbeing on the Land” manual supports Queensland primary producers with practical advice for life’s challenges.
RFDS Deputy Head of Flying Operations, Nick Tully, grew up on a sheep and cattle station near Quilpie. With more than 8,500 flying hours, he now flies vital missions across Queensland.
RFDS pilot Nick Tully designed a diesel lantern kit to light up remote airstrips at night. Visible up to 48 km away, more than 60 stations in Queensland now use the system.
Emma Terry grew up in Queensland’s Gulf Country and has worked across the region in education, transport and aviation. She now champions the RFDS story for future generations.
The RFDS aeromedical simulator is a full replica of a King Air B200 aircraft. It tours Queensland schools and communities, giving people the chance to experience what it’s like to fly a life-saving mission with the Flying Doctor.
The RFDS Medical Chest contains life-saving medications and supplies for emergencies. With over 1,200 across Queensland, locals can call RFDS, access the chest, and get instructions from a Medical Officer, or trigger an aeromedical retrieval if needed.
The Birdsville Races are not only a community highlight but also a proud supporter of the RFDS. The 2024 races, including the RFDS Gala, will run 6–7 September, raising vital funds to keep the Flying Doctor in the air.
OBE Organic beef producers, Nell and David Brook have helped raise more than $397,000 for the RFDS through the Birdsville Race Club. Their dedication earned them the 2022 RFDS Local Hero Award for the Charleville region.
The RFDS Charleville Base, established in 1943, celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2023. It remains a lifeline for south-west Queensland, providing clinics, transfers, and emergency retrievals.
Since 2013, the RFDS mobile dental unit has delivered more than 120,400 free treatments in 26 communities. Senior Dentist Lynlee and the team continue to bring vital oral care to some of Queensland’s most remote towns.
Senior Base Pilot Sam Love, based in Mount Isa, often transfers people he knows from the local community. His work reflects the Flying Doctor’s mission to deliver the finest care to the furthest corner.