A PASSION for aviation and fulfilling his dream of helping people in “dire emergencies” encouraged Dr David Jones to take part in the Outback Air Race later this year.
The Midland GPSuperclinic doctor, who learnt to fly in Jandakot, will compete in the GPS-based navigation time trial from Queensland to Broome in August as part of team Bunurong Inverloch.
With team mates Michael Malone (Victoria) and Margaret Halsmith (Perth), Dr Jones (Glen Forrest) aims to raise more than $6000 for the Royal Flying Doctors Service (RFDS).
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READ NOWNamed after the Bunurong people of southeast Victoria where captain Malone resides, the team will set off on the almost 4000km journey over 13 days in a “lightning fast” Cessna 182 on August 19.
Dr Jones, who graduated from Manchester University Medical School in 2007, said he fulfilled his “desire” when he secured a two-month placement with the RFDS in Kalgoorlie.
“It was a dream come true – flying around one of the most beautiful but demanding places on earth to help those in dire emergencies,” he said.
“That incredible experience taught me about so much more than the crucial work that the RFDS does in terms of managing emergency medical situations in remote Australia, but just how important and cherished the service is for all Australians who find themselves in crisis in the remote, beautiful and sometimes dangerous outback.”
With the RFDS, Dr Jones said he attended dozens of emergency retrievals in WA from fatal single car crashes, medical emergencies at remote Aboriginal communities, to domestic violence assaults, psychiatric emergencies, and obstetric/newborn emergencies.
“Every single day of the year, the RFDS manages the enormous logistical and medical complexities of delivering emergency (and routine) medical care often in very difficult circumstances, over 7.7 million sq km,” he said.
“It’s an incredible achievement and I also owe a significant debt of gratitude to RFDS for that life-changing opportunity to come to outback WA and experience medicine in one of the most unique ad beautiful places in the world.”
To support team Bunurong Inverloch with their fundraising efforts, visit https://oar18.everydayhero.com/au/bunurong-inverloch.