Flying Doctor

An all-weather bitumen strip, with night lights and fencing to keep out kangaroos means that Mitchell is well-serviced by the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Last night, when we heard the distinctive roar of the Flying Doctor aircraft we knew who was on board; our neighbour in need of emergency surgery. As the plane rose up and over our house, heading towards Toowomba, I felt a rush of concern. On average, we hear the engines of the Beechcraft Kingair two or three times a week. For me, the roar of those engines always pulls me up, causes a stab of sympathy for whoever is on board, and then an appreciation of the Flying Doctor that offers a lifeline to people living and travelling in outback Australia.

The excellence of our hospital and medical team here in Mitchell is a great comfort to all of us living in this remote outback town.