With a waiting room of 7.13 million square kilometres, the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) provides 24-hour aeromedical emergency services to those who live, work and travel throughout rural and remote Australia.
In many remote Australian communities, the RFDS is the sole healthcare and emergency service provider to families throughout their entire lives.
Like the RFDS, The CEO Magazine recognises giving back to the community as one of our core pillars. Since 2013, we have participated in the RFDS Outback Car Trek and we are proud to be part of the 30th event this year.
From 3–14 June, our CEO Chris Dutton joined a convoy of 117 vehicles as they journeyed through the dusty outback of Central Australia to reach the finish line in Darwin.
Starting in the Murray River town of Renmark in South Australia, the Trekkers tore through some of the country’s most iconic landscapes including the Barossa Valley, Flinders Ranges, Mt Isa, Jabiru and the pristine Kakadu National Park.
But the Trek is much more than just a fun Australian experience – it supports each rural town the Trekkers visit and provides critical funding for an incredible cause.
“We continue to support the Outback Car Trek because it raises invaluable funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, which in turn saves countless lives every year in rural Australia,” Chris Dutton explains.
“This year’s trek has been as rewarding as always. As well as helping to raise much-needed funds, we get to visit tiny outback towns where the RFDS makes a huge difference.
“Talking to the locals who share their stories about how the RFDS has saved so many lives over the years really hits home – you can see the thanks in their eyes.”
To date, the Outback Car Trek has raised more than A$28 million for the RFDS, with a goal to exceed A$30 million by the end of this year’s Trek.
The event has succeeded over the past 29 years due to its focus on four central elements:
- Raising money for such a valuable service;
- Contributing socially and financially to the towns it visits;
- Exploring parts of Australia that most people can only dream about visiting;
- Having fun.
As a not-for-profit aeromedical organisation, the RFDS relies on public generosity to keep the Flying Doctor flying. All donations go towards new aircraft and medical equipment, and the delivery of essential health services across the country.
To donate to this worthy cause, click here.
