Flying Doctors lent a hand by generous community

A group of dedicated community members recently got to work inside an unassuming lookingshed at the Geraldton Regional Airport.

Led by Brett Mainwaring, the group refurbished and upgraded the interior of the shed that’s used by the Royal Flying Doctor Service, St John Ambulance and patients and their families, as a patient transfer facility.

Word got around and before long local businesses jumped on board and donated new flooring, electrical and white goods, furniture, blinds, kitchen and bathroom cabinets, fire extinguishers and other accessories to make the patient transfer facility a little more comfortable.

“It has been an honour to oversee the refurbishment of the patient transfer facility and I trust it will enable our loved ones to be looked after and their journey a little more comfortable,” said Mr Mainwaring.

He thanked his team of hardworking volunteers: Brett Harris, Paula Bozanich, Scott Harris, Keith Douglas, John Speedy, Karl Proudlove, Brad Tutt, Mark Criddle and Carl Hanson, for all the time and effort they willingly put into the upgrade.

Local businesses Crothers Constructions, Jupps Carpet Court, Mitchell and Brown, Bhagwan Marine, Goldfields Mid West Medicare Local, Shine Aviation, Mid West Fire and Safety were thanked for their generosity and kind donations; and Mr Mainwaring thanked the Mainwaring- Clarke family for providing photos and fittings.

Geraldton Airport Manager, Bob Urquhart, said the work done by the volunteers was outstanding and it was a credit to the local businesses to get on board for this worthwhile project.

“It really is all about community,” he said, “and the City will now make sure the hangar housing the RFDS is carefully maintained.”

The Royal Flying Doctor Service:

• Owns a fleet of 61 fully instrumented aircraft with the latest in navigation technology (15 aircraft in WA)
• Operates 21 bases across Australia (five in WA)
• Pilots annually fly the equivalent of 25 round trips to the moon (WA pilots flew 7,619,781km last financial year)
• Doctors and flight nurses are responsible for the care of more than 270,000 patients (RFDS WA assists more than 80,000 patients a year).

Pic caption: Volunteers and sponsors RFDS facility

Volunteers and sponsors recently gathered with Brett Mainwaring (seventh from right) to celebrate the finished refurbishment of the Geraldton RFDS patient transfer facility at the Geraldton Airport.