Best Royal Flying Doctor Service Podcasts (2024)

1
#104 Greg was lucky to survive a stroke while surfing 41:24

2h ago41:24

41:24

Before suffering a stroke in 2022, Esperance local, Greg Hamilton, would happily spend hours a day tackling big surf breaks on his paddle board. An enthusiastic runner, former fitness club 'junkie' and a non-smoker and non-drinker - at 72 years old, Greg was the picture of good health. Later, Doctors would tell him the Basal Ganglia Haemorrhagic st…

1
Ep 72 Bass & Flinders Pt3: Australian History 1:16:02

2d ago1:16:02

1:16:02

George Bass and Matthew Flinders undertake an important mapping journey to confirm the existence of what will soon afterwards become known as Bass Strait, a body of water between the mainland of 'New South Wales' and the newly recognized island of Van Diemens Land. But afterwards their future aspirations diverge, and we follow them as they prepare …

1
#103 Never mess with a Mulga! Ben's paralysing tale. 45:19

6d ago45:19

45:19

Former tour guide, Ben Trewren, is completely at home in the remote Australian outback. Through his current logistics role with the SA charity, Operation Flinders, he regularly mentors young people in the challenges and rewards of learning basic survival skills, navigation and the simple pleasures of spending time 'out bush'. So, when this experien…

1
#102 Farmer Phil vs a one tonne, charging bull! 44:05

13d ago44:05

44:05

Padthaway farmer Phil Giles and his wife Julie love their cows - almost as much as they love their compost. On their family farm in south eastern SA, the Giles have spent the last 25 years developing a successful compost production and transport company, working with many of the region's businesses and local vineyards to utilise waste and to enhanc…

1
#101 Following in Squid’s sand tracks #oceans to outback 33:56

20d ago33:56

33:56

Very few fourteen-year-olds could claim to be successfully managing their own business...but Clay 'Squid' Bertram is no ordinary teenager. As well as being the entrepreneurial brains behind a unique range of custom-made sand boards, Squid has also spent the last few years clocking up some impressive, double figure fundraising totals for the RFDS Oc…

1
#100 Buckle up! The Flying Doctor Podcast 100th episode takes off! 1:18:20

27d ago1:18:20

1:18:20

From flipping a ute on a remote outback road, to experiencing the excruciating pain of an Irukandji jelly fish sting, our milestone 100th episode takes you on a compelling journey through the many inspiring, authentic Australian stories that the Flying Doctor Podcast has shared so far. Visiting some of the most remote and beautiful locations across…

1
#99 Leanne was struggling to breathe before she lost consciousness 45:45

1M ago45:45

45:45

When we're stressed or anxious, the best advice is usually just to 'just relax and take some deep breaths'. But what if you suddenly simply couldn't breath? If every breath felt like you were running out of air? WA's Leanne Schofield recently experienced such a debilitating and prolonged asthma attack, that she truly thought she was going to die. *…

1
#98 Murray began bleeding out internally, after he hit the handlebars of his motorcross bike 38:41

1M ago38:41

38:41

In the adrenalin pumping sport of Motorcross, there's an obstacle section known as a 'whoops' - which is basically a series of continuous bumps that racers can ride over, as fast as they like. This is the story of the day that Murray Collins hit a 'whoops' bump, that truly lived up to its name! **** Thanks so much for listening to the Flying Doctor…

1
#97 Kelly was heavily pregnant when she was diagnosed with a brain tumour 1:03:35

2M ago1:03:35

1:03:35

Kelly Foran was eagerly expecting the arrival of her first child when she started experiencing issues with her balance and co-ordination. While Doctor's initially believed she was succumbing to pre-eclampsia, her eventual diagnosis was even more confronting. Just weeks before she was due to give birth, Kelly was told she had a brain tumour the size…

1
#96 Emma's toddler went under both wheels of the 4WD...and survived! 39:33

2M ago39:33

39:33

The Galloway family were enjoying an idyllic summer holiday together, when their Esperance caravanning paradise was suddenly shattered. The forever smiling and always energetic toddler, Parker, was pushing his scooter around a small bend on the caravan park road, when he disappeared from sight. What happened next, is every parent’s worst nightmare.…

1
#95 When the nurse becomes the patient. Ann's battle with Stage 4 breast cancer. 49:12

2M ago49:12

49:12

RFDS Flight nurse, Ann Rahn and her husband Wayne are passionate advocates for the early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer. Ann wants women of ALL ages to understand that there are many different types and stages of breast cancer, that can impact women in any stage of their life. In the midst of Covid and working as a nurse in Darwin, Ann re…

1
Ep 71 Bass & Flinders Pt2: Australian History 1:05:49

2M ago1:05:49

1:05:49

George Bass and Matthew Flinders arrived in New South Wales in September of 1795, with grand plans to "explore more of the country than any of [our] predecessors in the colony". In part 2 we look at how their plans progressed. As naval men, they had work to do when they arrived in the young colony, but to their delight, they soon began doing some o…

1
#94 Judy found her grandson lying 'flat and unresponsive' in the hallway 32:21

2M ago32:21

32:21

It's any grandparent's worst nightmare. To find your grandchild lying unconscious and unresponsive whilst in your care. But for Registered Nurse, Judy Treloar, the added logistics of trying to get her young grandson to a hospital, from the family's remote Qld property, also involved an unexpected helicopter ride across flood waters. Judy quickly re…

1
#93 Devoted mum and courageous cancer survivor, Julia, has put her heart inside a pocket 43:48

3M ago43:48

43:48

Despite plenty of setbacks and heartbreak along the way, Julia Peterson always knew she wanted to be a mum. So, when her son Taylor decided to arrive into the world 'sooner than planned', Julia and her husband Ryan faced the challenge of a premature baby with the same incredible strength and courage they are still drawing on today. Because since Ta…

1
#92 Young mum Paige was losing weight, eternally thirsty and feeling strange 42:19

3M ago42:19

42:19

Paige is a young mum, living on a remote station in the centre of Queensland. With two young sons, her hubby, a governess to help care for the kids and a few other couples also working on the property, Paige is a long way from her family network, and a long way from town and city services. When Paige started to have an unquenchable thirst she did n…

1
#91 Station boss Carol's helicopter hit the power line and hit the ground 44:54

3M ago44:54

44:54

There are some strong and resilient women across rural and remote Australia, and Carol Godfrey is a wonderful example. Living and managing a large pastoral property in South West Queensland, Carol has seen it all. One day in 2011, when she had to move 500 cattle to a neighbours property, the cattle were released (by another person) too early and he…

1
#90 A single dad, a sailboat, two girls and a wheel barrow 48:58

3M ago48:58

48:58

After packing up their city home in Perth to go on a sailing adventure, single dad James Brougham and his young daughters, Halle and Isla, have spent the past two years exploring, remote schooling & fishing along the stunning WA coastline, aboard their yacht ‘Salty Jocks’. In this inspiring episode, James explains why he decided to push his two dau…

1
Ep 70 Bass & Flinders Pt1: Australian History 45:00

3M ago45:00

45:00

Naval men who arrived in NSW in September 1795, Bass & Flinders were both intent on undertaking exploration and charting sections of New Holland, still largely unknown to the British. They became well known as navigators, explorers and map makers, charting the Australian coasts and enhancing the then limited knowledge of the new colony. In this Par…

1
#89 Tired, toilet, thirsty, thinner - Emma's young son ticked all the boxes for Type 1 diabetes. 39:51

4M ago39:51

39:51

When Emma Turner first discovered her seven-year-old son, Fred, had Type 1 diabetes, they were literally living in the middle of nowhere. The outback Queensland town of Blackhall even boasts a memorial to Australia's famous 'black stump'! But after Fred's symptoms suddenly became life threatening, Emma found herself sitting next to the pilot in the…

1
#88 Ella was 35 weeks pregnant & driving an outback truck when her waters broke! 35:44

4M ago35:44

35:44

When transport company owners, Ella Reindler and her husband Dave, set out on ‘one last trucking trip’ from Perth to the remote Kimberley, they knew it would likely be their last road trip together as a couple, before their new baby arrived. But nobody expected that, at just 35 weeks pregnant, Ella’s waters would break in the middle of nowhere and …

1
#87 How did Gayle lose the use of both arms in a farm-accident ? 45:00

4M ago45:00

45:00

The story of Gayle and Mac Shann has been featured twice on ABC's Australian Story and it has even been voted as Australia's favourite story. After Gayle's life-changing accident on a remote cattle station in Queensland, they have had to adapt to a new life, despite one arm being amputated and the other being paralysed. ****************************…

1
#86 Barry was hanging from his seat belt in the upside down ute 39:31

4M ago39:31

39:31

Barry was travelling with some work colleagues on his way back to Mount Isa from a remote mine site when the driver lost control of the ute, it flipped and Barry was left hanging from his seat belt. When he released his belt he fell directly on his head, instantly felt pain and saw stars. He knew it was bad. ******** Thanks so much for listening to…

1
#85 How do you manage a Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis in remote Australia? 38:41

5M ago38:41

38:41

Danielle and Boyd Keenan live with their two young daughters, August (Augie), 11, and Willa, 9, in Broken Hills, NSW. It is a community they adore and the home where extended family are, but when Augie was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in October 2019, the remote city they love was a long way away from diabetes treatment. ******** Thanks so much f…

1
#84 How did the remote SA township of Marla come to be? 33:28

5M ago33:28

33:28

Jane Oakley-Lohm is a central figure in the story of Marla, a remote township in South Australia that sprung up from a roadhouse created in the 1980's. Jane spent 11 years in Marla and admits she has red dirt in her veins. Though she found it lonely at times, Marla was also the hub of the district and anything that went wrong ended up on Jane's doo…

1
Ep 69 Waltzing Matilda: Australian History 40:21

5M ago40:21

40:21

Waltzing Matilda is described as 'the people's song'. More well known than the real Australian National Anthem around the world, Banjo Paterson's jaunty little ditty actually contains clues to some turbulent times he witnessed in Australian history. This episode shares a little background about the much loved song. (40mins) ------------------------…

1
#83 Tom collapsed onto his steering wheel and stopped breathing 52:23

5M ago52:23

52:23

Have we become too complacent about snakes? Tom had been parked on the side of a rural road when he stepped out to greet his wife. He felt a small sting or bite on his foot, and bent down to see a small snake disappearing under his car. He was some 30 minutes from a hospital and thought it was no big deal, as it did not hurt. ******** Thanks so muc…

1
#82 Melissa's muscles melted and she was unable to walk, talk or move 39:57

5M ago39:57

39:57

Melissa Domiati went to hospital to have her wisdom teeth removed and was not particularly concerned or worried, but the routine procedure went terribly wrong when she had an allergic reaction to the anaesthetic. She woke up two days later, in Perth, in ICU and unable to move. Melissa's poetry can be found here: https://mybook.to/flowersfromthefarm…

1
#81 Dan Hamood was opal fossicking when he fell into a mineshaft 42:45

5M ago42:45

42:45

An avid opal miner, Dan was fossicking alone, when he lost his footing and fell into a deep abandoned mineshaft, some 22 metres (7.5 stories) deep in the earth. No one knew where he was and it took more than 24 hours for the alarm to be called that he was missing. The search for Dan then began. ******** Thanks so much for listening to the Flying Do…

1
Ep 68 Atomic Australia: Australian History 1:14:57

8M ago1:14:57

1:14:57

In the 1950s Australia hosted a number of British nuclear weapons tests. The very first one took place on the Montebello Islands, off Australia's north west coast. This episode we will explore 'Operation Hurricane' on the Montebellos. (75 mins) ---------------------------------------------------------------- Brilliant stories from Australia’s past …

1
#80 Kate Watched As Her Husband Was Dragged to Shore 50:08

8M ago50:08

50:08

Adam and his wife Kate were enjoying a family beach holiday with 8 other families. Four of the men went out on a jet ski and blow-up couch to have some fun, but things took an unexpected turn. ******** Thanks so much for listening to the Flying Doctor Podcast. It is lovely to have you along on the journey with us. There has been some wonderful feed…

1
#79 Shirley was found unconscious next to her campbed. 38:24

8M ago38:24

38:24

Shirley is an avid traveller, and as a single older woman, she does not shy away from 4WD tours in some of the remotest parts of South Australia and Northern Territory. She was out on a tag-about tour and had been feeling good all day but as the sun went down she collapsed by her camp bed and lay on the ground for a number of hours before she was d…

1
#78 Australia, to the USA, to Kenya and back home again 47:43

8M ago47:43

47:43

Dr Mardi Steere has had a long and fascinating career as a doctor, both in Australia and overseas - but she returned some 5 years ago to her hometown of Adelaide, and joined the Royal Flying Doctor Service, where she now plays a vital role in the delivery of both our emergency medical and our primary health care services in South Australia and Nort…

1
#77 Dr Katrina Starmer tells how she was inspired to become a Flying Doctor 32:25

9M ago32:25

32:25

Dr Katrina Starmer works with our RFDS Queensland team. This is not the first time Katrina has been on the Flying Doctor podcast. Look up episode #5 and you will hear about the time Katrina was sent out to pick up a ranger who had been mauled by a crocodile. Katrina tells of how she was inspired to become a Flying Doctor, years ago, when she was ou…

1
#76 Stephen Peacocke reflects on playing 'flight nurse Pete' in 'RFDS'. 35:08

9M ago35:08

35:08

Had a lovely, relaxed chat with renowned Australian actor, Stephen Peacocke, who plays flight nurse 'Pete Emerson' on the RFDS TV drama. We talk about growing up in regional NSW, mustering cattle by motor-bike on a remote station, becoming an actor, and then his most recent work on set as 'Pete Emerson'. The 'RFDS' TV drama is available on demand, …

1
#75 Interview with renowned Australian actor and writer Ian Meadows 37:37

9M ago37:37

37:37

Over the last two years, as part of the Endemolshine Australia team, Ian Meadows has been the writer, co-creator and co-producer of 'RFDS' the TV drama that has been filmed and aired on Channel 7 (and now available on-demand on 7Plus). The 'RFDS' show has been aired to broad audiences across Australia and to some 14 countries overseas. Ian has neve…

1
#74 The song was a gift to her children, in case they lose her 48:09

9M ago48:09

48:09

Juliette has a severe medical condition that impacts her quality of life and makes every day a challenge. She has been transported by the Royal Flying Doctor Service many times - several of which were for critical care, and her road ahead will always be a rocky one -- but Juliette is optimistic and she has the support of her loving family. ****** T…

1
#73 A toddler wasn't breathing well and was shades of white and blue. 41:45

10M ago41:45

41:45

Back in 2008 Jason was working for Rio Tinto at Jabiru, in the Kakadu National Park in the NT, a full 3 1/2 hours drive from Darwin. He and his wife were living in this remote part of the country when their young son got croup. In this interview we delve into the dramatic story of how his young son was saved, despite storms, a rapidly approaching n…

1
#71 Philip Chalker and his seeing-eye dog Sally chat with the Flying Doctor podcast 23:52

10M ago23:52

23:52

Philip lives in regional Victoria with his seeing-eye dog Sally. A few years ago Philip had to get laser surgery on his only eye that had partial sight, and needed help to get to the hospital and back again, so the Royal Flying Doctor Service patient transport service assisted him. This podcast interview is a glimpse into the life of someone who li…

1
#72 How did Steve survive a severe stroke while driving on a remote road? 39:26

10M ago39:26

39:26

Steve Mogridge was driving his work vehicle between townships in country Western Australia when he lost all sensation and control of the left side of this body. Listen to him recount his story on that highway and how he managed to get to help and save his own life. ***** Thanks so much for listening to the Flying Doctor Podcast. It is lovely to hav…

1
Ep 67 Maria Island: Australian History (remixed) 1:15:07

11M ago1:15:07

1:15:07

Maria Island is a UNESCO World Heritage listed Tasmanian convict site, with a long and varied history, and a number of spectacular natural and geological places of interest. From its original indigenous use, soon after aboriginal people made their way to Tasmania, around 30,000 years ago, through it’s early colonial use as penal outposts and then f…

1
Ep 66 Australian Dogs: Australian History 45:27

1y ago45:27

45:27

From a land with no native domesticated dogs, nearly 230 years after colonists’ brought their first pets & hunting dogs on the first fleet, Australia now has one of the highest rates of dog ownership in the world. Almost half of Australian households kept at least one dog in 2022, but lets take a look at the history & development of the uniquely Au…

1
Ep 65 Royal Flying Doctor Service: Australian History 57:31

1+ y ago57:31

57:31

Presbyterian Minister John Flynn had a desire to bring "a mantle of safety" to those living in the remote areas of Australia. WWI Australian fighter pilot John Clifford Peel suggested a blueprint for such a service. Alf Traeger tested and designed equipment that would allow communication across the outback and Hudson Fysh acquired the planes that c…

1
#70 How Sarah's stomach ache almost took her life. 38:59

1+ y ago38:59

38:59

Sarah Ward, a busy working mother, was not feeling great and had increasingly bad stomach pains, but kept putting off getting medical advice as she considered she had just overeaten rich food and needed a lie down and time to recover. She didn't want to use the limited health resources in her remote community, feeling they were needed for other peo…

1
#69 Emma's son was sleeping when a snake attempted to eat him 46:52

1+ y ago46:52

46:52

Living in far north Queensland is not for the faint of heart. Emma Jackson lives on Wolverton Station on Cape York Peninsula and in this podcast she talks to what occurred when a guest had a 'widow-maker' heart attack and how her life was saved, and also describes what happened when a large snake tried to eat her son while he was sleeping. ++++ Tha…

1
#68 What is the life of a flight nurse actually like? 37:29

1+ y ago37:29

37:29

Jacinta Jones has been a flight nurse with RFDS Queensland for 17 years and there is little she has not done or experienced. In this episode we get to walk in Jacinta's shoes and learn about the inner workings and 'behind the scenes' of an RFDS flight nurse. learn about the highs, the lows and what she loves about her job. ++++ Thanks so much for l…

1
#67 Greg and his helicopter were a crumpled mess at the bottom of the gorge 52:07

1+ y ago52:07

52:07

Greg Keynes was mustering cattle by helicopter in a remote part of Western Australia when he experienced engine failure and shortly after found himself in a crumpled mess at the bottom of a gorge. He had a near-death experience but was luckily found and rescued from his perilous circumstance. ++++ Thanks so much for listening to the Flying Doctor P…

1
#66 Plane on the highway, dress shopping, and passing on words of wisdom 46:23

1+ y ago46:23

46:23

Leanne Liddle is an Arrernte woman born and raised in Alice Springs, who tells of growing up in a racist environment, her work as the first Aboriginal policewoman in South Australia, her many touch points with the Flying Doctor, and her current work as one of our RFDS Board members in South Australia/Northern Territory. ++++ Thanks so much for list…

1
#65 Jon Readhead, Jigalong and the Flying Doctor 32:08

1+ y ago32:08

32:08

Jon is approaching his 80th birthday and has had a varied career. This podcast talks to Jon’s work at Jigalong, a remote Aboriginal community in Western Australia in the 1970s and his experiences with The Flying Doctor. ++++ Thanks so much for listening to the Flying Doctor Podcast. It is lovely to have you along on the journey with us. There has b…

1
#64 Heat and dehydration has stopped Richard's heart 8 times... 41:36

1+ y ago41:36

41:36

Opal miner, Richard Hawkins, lives in one of the harshest environments on the planet - Andamooka in remote South Australia. Though he knows well the protocols to prevent deadly dehydration in the extreme desert heat, Richard has learnt some lessons in recent years... ++++ Thanks so much for listening to the Flying Doctor Podcast. It is lovely to ha…

1
#63 Family holiday plans changed quickly when 7-year-old Mia stumbled by the campfire... 33:55

1+ y ago33:55

33:55

Kayla and Mia tell the story of a road trip where things took an unexpected turn when 7-year-old Mia, who had been warming herself by the fire and waiting for mum to cook dinner, stumbled and to prevent herself falling into the fire, she put her hand into a pot that was sitting on top of the coals. ++++ Thanks so much for listening to the Flying Do…

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