Local Hero Awards - Royal Flying Doctor Service

It is actually quite emotional for me.

Bundaberg | Carolyn Saffron

Having conquered cancer without a backward glance, Carolyn has got more get up and go than you could poke a stick at. Whether she has to run a stall solo or bring people together for cinema nights she is determined to continue building the Bundaberg Auxiliary fundraising efforts for the RFDS year on year. Her love for the history and purpose of the RFDS overflows and impacts anyone who has the pleasure of chatting with her.

A lot of our community have been privileged to have been helped by the Flying Doctor.

Townsville | Richmond Field Days and Turf Club Committee

The Richmond Field Days and Turf Club Committee have raised thousands of dollars for the RFDS as well as supporting health checks and raising awareness for the Service in their local community with racing events and field days.

Patsy and David Fox also took the lead in the response to the flood in Richmond helping the community work through and recover from this devastating weather event. Using their own helicopters and coordinating many more they airdropped fodder, emergency supplies and connected those cut off by the water. They also linked in RFDS wellness services with those in need.

I’d be very lost without the Flying Doctor.

Charleville | Elizabeth Marchant & Georgie Walker

These two best friends have been cooking up some amazing fundraising specials for the RFDS for over 40 years. They are the backbone of their local community transporting our RFDS clinic staff and looking after the town’s RFDS medical chest. They are of one mind in their lifelong commitment to helping others, but they wear the badge lightly with an off-the-cuff attitude and the kind of spunk that can’t help but dazzle anyone that crosses their path.

That's exactly who RFDS are, they respond.

Longreach | Sandy Gillies

Proud Gunggari woman and Winton local, Sandy Gillies works as the Executive Manager for the Western Queensland Primary Health Network. She’s someone who can talk to anyone, anywhere, anytime and make a genuine connection. Sandy lobbied tirelessly for services after seven years of drought was followed with devastating floods in Winton and surrounds. Her persistent advocacy ensured our RFDS Wellbeing team could support locals during these tough times.

Just about everyone has a story about the Flying Doctor.

Rockhampton | Alison Hodda

Alison Hodda always had a passion for the RFDS and when she finally met the farmer of her dreams and moved to Biloela she became an important member of the RFDS Rockhampton Auxiliary. She’s an impressive multi-tasker taking on more than most of us could manage with a cheerfulness and aplomb that’s truly inspirational.

We live in a remote town and the RFDS is critical for our health care.

Roma | The Golden Acres Gala Ball Committee

Andrea Crothers, Tessa Dimond, Annie Jones and Jess Weber joined forces to raise over $55,000 for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. These impressive young women created a hip and happening, outdoor black tie event for their local community from young to old whilst also raising funds for the RFDS. Their initiative and hard-work is much appreciated.

The Flying Doctor is such an icon.

Brisbane | Val Marlow

Val Marlow has been supporting the RFDS for 30 years with a kind of enthusiasm that it would be great to bottle. An unflagging member of the Brisbane Auxiliary, she makes every fundraising event one for the books.

Her energy never drops whether she is running a trip, tour or talk. Her personal touches, including her delicious baking, make anyone that interacts with her feel special. As a representative of the RFDS her integrity shines through.

Flying Doctor is a critical component to healthcare here in community.

Cairns | David Durst & Raphael Lansen

These two members of the Kowanyama airfield team provide the Royal Flying Doctor Service with an invaluable service in their remote patch of the state. It doesn’t matter if it’s two in the morning, they always greet the RFDS crew with a smile and a joke. Their generosity and willingness to go above and beyond with help in retrievals and clinic runs has made an indelible impact on the RFDS crew.

Our reward is that they are all here.

Mount Isa | Jim Lillecrapp, Simon Steele, Robert & Belinda Worlein

Simon, Jim, Robert and Belinda were the first responders to a life threatening boating accident out on Lake Julius on Christmas Eve last year. Their calm, caring and skilful assistance meant that the family involved in the accident were able to receive the best quality care as quickly as possible. The family are now out of hospital and are incredibly grateful to Simon, Jim, Belinda and Robert. What they did as first responders was literally life-saving.

Voting for the 2019 RFDS Queensland Hero is now closed.

Carolyn Saffron

Richmond Field Days and Turf Club Committee

Elizabeth Marchant & Georgie Walker

Sandy Gillies

Alison Hodda

The Golden Acres Gala Ball Committee

Val Marlow

David Durst & Raphael Lansen

Jim Lillecrapp, Simon Steele, Robert & Belinda Worlein