MID ROLL

We all have plenty of theories on what makes a happy marriage, a fulfilling career and a life of adventure and fun. But if anyone comes close to achieving the trifecta, it would probably be former RFDS base manager, Alison Fox and her husband (and current RFDS pilot) Bruce Carroll. In this amusing, inspiring and highly entertaining trip down memory lane, Alison and Bruce share the true stories - and tall tales - of their respective time spent working at the Meekatharra RFDS base in WA....and the incredible patients, community members and RFDS staff who shared their adventures. 

We all have plenty of theories on what makes a happy marriage, a fulfilling career and a life of adventure and fun. But if anyone comes close to achieving the trifecta, it would probably be former RFDS base manager, Alison Fox and her husband (and current RFDS pilot) Bruce Carroll. In this amusing, inspiring and highly entertaining trip down memory lane, Alison and Bruce share the true stories - and tall tales - of their respective time spent working at the Meekatharra RFDS base in WA....and the incredible patients, community members and RFDS staff who shared their adventures.

Australia is a large, remote, and unforgiving land where accidents happen. In this podcast, we talk to real patients and their families about mateship, life in the bush, and the role that the Royal Flying Doctor Service plays in servicing rural communities.

The Flying Doctor

We have interviewed a number of Royal Flying Doctor Service staff on the Flying Doctor Podcast and this playlist will give you great insight into the life of someone working for the Service.

We have interviewed a number of Royal Flying Doctor Service staff on the Flying Doctor Podcast and this playlist will give you great insight into the life of someone working for the Service.

The Flying Doctor Podcast - RFDS staff playlist

#112 Wildflowers, frog tea and a goanna in a hangar!

Whether you love them or loathe them, there's no denying that snakes are an inevitable part of life in regional Australia - particularly if you live in or around our beautiful bushlands. But what would YOU do if you - or someone you were with - were to suffer a suspected snake bite? And what happens if you're hundreds of kilometers from help or emergency advice?

Over a one-year period (as part of a larger, three-year study) the RFDS (Western Operations) found that 85 people from regional, rural, remote and very remote Western Australia were flown by Royal Flying Doctor Service to hospital for suspected or confirmed snake bites. While only five of these patients (6%) ultimately received a toxicologist’s diagnosis of envenomation, the research showed just how challenging a remote or regional 'suspected snake bite' scenario can be. Dr Hamish Bradley is an adjunct Lecturer, Anaesthetist and Aeromedical Retrieval Specialist and he's pretty passionate about keeping us all just a little bit safer this snake season!

Whether you love them or loathe them, there's no denying that snakes are an inevitable part of life in regional Australia - particularly if you live in or around our beautiful bushlands. But what would YOU do if you - or someone you were with - were to suffer a suspected snake bite? And what happens if you're hundreds of kilometers from help or emergency advice?
Over a one-year period (as part of a larger, three-year study) the RFDS (Western Operations) found that 85 people from regional, rural, remote and very remote Western Australia were flown by Royal Flying Doctor Service to hospital for suspected or confirmed snake bites. While only five of these patients (6%) ultimately received a toxicologist’s diagnosis of envenomation, the research showed just how challenging a remote or regional 'suspected snake bite' scenario can be. Dr Hamish Bradley is an adjunct Lecturer, Anaesthetist and Aeromedical Retrieval Specialist and he's pretty passionate about keeping us all just a little bit safer this snake season!

#111 A swag of snake stories to keep you safe this summer

Always wear a seatbelt. That's the message that Laura McKenney wants the world to hear loud and clear. As an 'unbelted' passenger in a catastrophic car accident in January 2023, the then 21-year-old student nurse was flung from a friend's vehicle, before the same car rolled back over the top of her. Remarkably, none of Laura's bones were broken. But the severe head injury she sustained, along with an injury-induced stroke, nearly cost Laura her life. Her family was told she might never wake up. That in all likelihood, she would never again walk or even talk. Today, Laura is walking her way through her second Oceans to Outback RFDS fundraising challenge. And she and her sister Emily are ready to tell their story.

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If you'd like to join Laura's army and the other incredible fundraisers involved in this year's Oceans to Outback, simply head to Royal Flying Doctor Service : Home (oceanstooutback.org.au) And thanks so much for listening to this episode of the Flying Doctor Podcast. It is lovely to have you along on the journey with us. There has been some wonderful feedback from listeners about our podcast and the incredible people we have interviewed. Word of mouth is always the best promotion for a podcast – so if you enjoy this podcast, or a specific story, please share with family and friends.

Reviews and ratings help our podcast to be found by others, so if you can take the time to do that it would be appreciated.  You can also send feedback, questions or comments through to podcast@rfds.org.au. 

Always wear a seatbelt. That's the message that Laura McKenney wants the world to hear loud and clear. As an 'unbelted' passenger in a catastrophic car accident in January 2023, the then 21-year-old student nurse was flung from a friend's vehicle, before the same car rolled back over the top of her. Remarkably, none of Laura's bones were broken. But the severe head injury she sustained, along with an injury-induced stroke, nearly cost Laura her life. Her family was told she might never wake up. That in all likelihood, she would never again walk or even talk. Today, Laura is walking her way through her second Oceans to Outback RFDS fundraising challenge. And she and her sister Emily are ready to tell their story.
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If you'd like to join Laura's army and the other incredible fundraisers involved in this year's Oceans to Outback, simply head to <a href="https://www.oceanstooutback.org.au/">Royal Flying Doctor Service : Home (oceanstooutback.org.au)</a> And thanks so much for listening to this episode of the Flying Doctor Podcast. It is lovely to have you along on the journey with us. There has been some wonderful feedback from listeners about our podcast and the incredible people we have interviewed. Word of mouth is always the best promotion for a podcast – so if you enjoy this podcast, or a specific story, please share with family and friends.
Reviews and ratings help our podcast to be found by others, so if you can take the time to do that it would be appreciated.  You can also send feedback, questions or comments through to <a href="mailto:lana.mitchell@rfds.org.au" data-loopstyle="linkonly">podcast@rfds.org.au</a>.

#110 Student nurse Laura was told she'd never walk or talk again

Thankfully, community conversations and support services around mental health - particularly in rural and remote areas of Australia - are increasing all the time. The importance of checking in regularly with our family, neighbours and friends and even simply taking the time to care of our own wellbeing and 'headspace' is undeniable. But over 10 years ago, when Broken Hill grazier Brendan Cullen found himself lacking energy, drinking too much and simply feeling overwhelmed, he realised he needed professional help. Thanks to the support, advice and tools offered up by his local health service and the RFDS, Brendan discovered a new 'lease on life', as well as a passion for long-distance swimming.

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If you’d like to find out more about the RFDS 'We've got your back program' (WGYB) you can connect at https://www.facebook.com/wevegotyourbackprogram?mibextid=LQQJ4d  If this episode has raised immediate concerns for you or a member of your family, you can also call Lifeline on Call 13 11 14 

Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the Flying Doctor Podcast. It is lovely to have you along on the journey with us. There has been some wonderful feedback from listeners about our podcast and the incredible people we have interviewed. Word of mouth is always the best promotion for a podcast – so if you enjoy this podcast, or a specific story, please share with family and friends.

Reviews and ratings help our podcast to be found by others, so if you can take the time to do that it would be appreciated.  You can also send feedback, questions or comments through to podcast@rfds.org.au. 

Thankfully, community conversations and support services around mental health - particularly in rural and remote areas of Australia - are increasing all the time. The importance of checking in regularly with our family, neighbours and friends and even simply taking the time to care of our own wellbeing and 'headspace' is undeniable. But over 10 years ago, when Broken Hill grazier Brendan Cullen found himself lacking energy, drinking too much and simply feeling overwhelmed, he realised he needed professional help. Thanks to the support, advice and tools offered up by his local health service and the RFDS, Brendan discovered a new 'lease on life', as well as a passion for long-distance swimming.
****
If you’d like to find out more about the RFDS 'We've got your back program' (WGYB) you can connect at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/wevegotyourbackprogram?mibextid=LQQJ4d">https://www.facebook.com/wevegotyourbackprogram?mibextid=LQQJ4d </a> If this episode has raised immediate concerns for you or a member of your family, you can also call Lifeline on <a href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/131114/">Call 13 11 14 </a>
Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the Flying Doctor Podcast. It is lovely to have you along on the journey with us. There has been some wonderful feedback from listeners about our podcast and the incredible people we have interviewed. Word of mouth is always the best promotion for a podcast – so if you enjoy this podcast, or a specific story, please share with family and friends.
Reviews and ratings help our podcast to be found by others, so if you can take the time to do that it would be appreciated.  You can also send feedback, questions or comments through to <a href="mailto:lana.mitchell@rfds.org.au" data-loopstyle="linkonly">podcast@rfds.org.au</a>.

#112 Wildflowers, frog tea and a goanna in a hangar!

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