Page 13 - Sphere No.22 (Aug 2008)

PHOTO: THE AUSTRALIAN SPHERE 11
C O M M U N I T Y
OUTBACK
CHALLENGE
T

The Royal Flying
Doctor Service celebrates
80 years of helping
people in remote
parts of Australia
By Peter Morgan
HE DAUNTING VASTNESS of Australia’s ancient, sun-burnt landscape poses huge logistical prob-
lems for the provision of essential services, especially health care.
The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) was formed in 1928 to combat the isolation of commu-
nities, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, throughout the Outback.
And now the Flying Doctor is celebrating its 80th anniversary by launching a major health programme for
the remote areas of South Australia, thanks to vital funding from the Li Ka Shing Foundation.
The Foundation has agreed to fund the 10-year Healthy Living Programme that promotes, encourages and
supports healthy lifestyle changes throughout the Outback.
The basic strategy is to actively promote the benefits of increased physical activity and improved dietary
intake while providing regular access to important health education.
The AUD3million (about HKD22million) funding is the largest sponsorship of its kind in the distinguished