By Bonny Burrows
Local students have a new appreciation for the work of the Royal Flying Doctor Service after participating in a flight simulation.
Gembrook MP Brad Battin hosted an RFDS demonstration and lesson on 28 March, providing students with a better understanding of just what the national aeromedical organisation does.
RFDS delivers air and road patient transport and primary health care programs such as diabetes, mobile eye and dental care and rural women’s GP services across remote Australia.
Supported by RFDS education manager Tom Ryan, students partook in a lesson on the history of the organisation before role-playing in the life-sized flight simulator.
Students were able to experience wearing breathing apparatus and act out scenes as a patient, pilot, nurse or doctor on one of the planes.
“It’s all action as they learn about the vastness of Australia and how rural and remote families receive medical care,” Mr Ryan said.
The event was made possible after Mr Battin purchased the lessons for his electorate from a charity fund-raiser.
Mr Battin said it was a pleasure to have the RFDS visit the region to talk about its life-saving work.
“It was a pleasure to have Captain Tom and Captain Ray from the Royal Flying Doctor Service to talk to primary school students in the Gembrook electorate about the vital service they provide for the Australian outback community and our farmers,” Mr Battin said.
“It was a fun-filled day with students flying the RFDS simulator plane and learning about the important organisation through virtual reality headsets.”
The local MP thanked the Akoonah Park Men’s Shed for providing the venue for the day.
