Official Opening of Royal Doctor Flying Service Charleville Base, Hangar and Visitor Centre

Thank you, Mr Chairman, for your kind introduction. I warmly acknowledge distinguished guests, all of you, ladies and gentlemen, especially, if I may, the Federal Member for Maranoa and Deputy Speaker, the Mayor, and the Chairman of the Royal Flying Doctor Service Board.

I also acknowledge the Bidjarra people and their Elders, past and present, and extend respectful greetings.

Kaye and I are delighted to join you for today’s significant celebrations. I was privileged to accept the request to become Patron of this fine organisation. This is also our first visit to Charleville since my being sworn in as Governor 3 months ago.

I have fond long-standing childhood memories of Charleville, and not just confined to the legendary Corones Hotel. When the Morven/Augathella road was unnavigable in the wet, we’d come through Charleville on the road trip to Longreach, where my father was the head teacher – and where I attended school. If only that regular wet season would return.

And now, 5 decades on, it is wonderful to be here as your Governor, and for such a significant event.

In 1928, the then Governor of Queensland, Sir Thomas Goodwin (a former medical officer with the British Army Medical Service), remarked that “provision of aerial medical services would fill a much felt want and that its establishment would prove of untold comfort and benefit to many of those people in the far west who had so many difficulties and hardships to meet.”

Governor Goodwin was, of course, referring to the recently launched Australian Inland Mission Aerial Medical Service, now known as the Royal Flying Doctor Service we rightly revere. The perspicacious John Flynn had turned his vision of creating a “mantle of safety” for the people of the outback, into reality. And, with typical Australian gumption, he had done so with one borrowed single-engine, fabric-covered, bi-plane, with no radio or navigational aids. It was rather audaciously called “Victory”.

Eighty-six years later, that mantle has expanded into an arc of safety, one which traverses the length and breadth of our nation. It embraces over 60 aircraft operating from 21 bases (including here at Queensland’s oldest RFDS base).

Growing up in regional and remote Queensland, including in Longreach, I was captivated by the liveliness of spirit of what Flynn called “the outer bush”. I still am captivated. Kaye and I particularly enjoy visiting regional parts of our great State as Governor. But enjoyment aside, it is quintessential to my role that I visit our regional fellow Queenslanders as often as practicable.

Over the State’s 155 year history, the sparsely dispersed men, women and children of the outback have added richly to our State’s social fabric, and as regional communities have developed, they have proven essential to our economy. Now you, more than most, are acutely aware of the spiritual burden of the fear of isolation. And it is here the Flying Doctor Service plays an important role.

By delivering essential medicines, transporting patients, and providing general medical services to our rural population, the RFDS fortifies livelihoods and sustains morale. The Service is no panacea to the burden of isolation, but it provides, nonetheless, an important psychological boost.

This is particularly important at a time when nearly 80% of Queensland is drought-declared.

I commit myself to enhancing State wide awareness of the tragic consequences of that, physical, psychological, financial. Mr Scott has told me of the generosity of citizens and service organisations, metropolitan and non-metropolitan, in providing non-governmental support for those adversely affected. I thank those people and organisations and encourage others to follow their example, especially in Brisbane.

I revert now to today’s immediate business.

As Governor, I have the honour of congratulating, on behalf of all Queenslanders, everyone involved in this magnificent organisation. I will shorty join the Chairman, Brigadier Mellor and our dedicated Member for Maranoa and Deputy Speaker, Mr Scott in unveiling a plaque, a plaque appropriate to mark this momentous occasion. In doing so, we commemorate not only the opening of the newly constructed Base, Hangar and fabulous Visitors Centre facilities, but also the extraordinary commitment to service and good citizenry that underpins this long-respected organisation.

As Patron, may I also heartily thank the RFDS Queensland Section Board, and staff, and everybody involved in organising today’s event, particularly those to whom I will shortly present Certificates of Recognition; you are all truly wonderful people.

It is now my great pleasure and privilege to declare officially open, the new Royal Flying Doctor Service Charleville Base, Hangar and Visitor Centre.