Each year, the REINSW President selects a charity to support, raising both awareness and crucial funds for their cause. This year, Barry Johnston has chosen the Royal Flying Doctor Service – and for good reason.
The RFDS stands out for its exceptional work, which includes life-saving missions, delivering babies and providing emergency medical transport to people living in remote areas,” Barry said.
“The RFDS dates back to 1928 and was founded by Reverend John Flynn, who features on our $20 note in recognition of his pioneering work.
He witnessed the daily struggles of people living in remote areas and had a vision to provide a ‘mantle of safety’ for people in the bush. He believed that ‘if you start something worthwhile, nothing can stop it’ – and this simple truth is evidenced by the RFDS today, more than 95 years on.”
Barry explained that the importance of the RFDS recently hit home for him when he took a road trip with old schoolmates.
“We travelled through remote regions and came to Cameron Corner, where the borders of New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia converge,” he said. “It’s a tradition for travellers to pin money to the ceiling of the Cameron Corner Store, which all goes to the RFDS.
“Travelling to such remote areas, I was left with no doubt as to how vital the RFDS is to people in the bush and the critical role it plays for isolated communities.
“For REINSW, supporting the RFDS is not just about giving back. It’s also about recognising the essential lifeline it provides to those living in remote areas. By aligning with the RFDS, our aim is to contribute to the wellbeing of these communities and ensure that vital medical assistance is always within reach – no matter how isolated the location.”
