Drivers wanted for Flying Doctors

NOW is your chance to land a volunteer opportunity with the Royal Flying Doctor Service as they look for new recruits to join their on-road Community Transport Program just outside of Bendigo.

The program gives eligible people in Heathcote and Rochester access to free vehicle transport for medical appointments and registered social activities.

Program coordinator, Hayley Wallace, said the RFDS are on the lookout for drivers to join the initiative, which provides another transport option for people who may lack confidence in their own abilities behind the wheel.

“The public transport systems unfortunately aren’t great in regional areas and there’s quite a lot of community members that live in these townships outside of the major regional centres that have quite a lot of health issues that require them to see specialists and their doctors on a regular basis,” she said.

“The reason that we started this program is to be able to increase those community members ability to attend those appointments and ultimately to see better health outcomes for those communities.”

Ms Wallace said age was no barrier to volunteering with the program, with one of the fleet’s youngest drivers a university student studying paramedicine and one of their oldest a man who got his license some 70 years ago.

“I think we actually have some of the most incredible volunteers in the entire state. They are so giving of their time and so passionate about helping their communities as well,” she said.

“When it comes to what we look for in a volunteer with the Flying Doctor, that’s really it. It’s about being passionate, community minded and we’re not looking for a set amount of time that people can dedicate, we’re really flexible.

“A lot of our volunteers have been in a position themselves where they have been the ones that have been relied upon to help other people get to different appointments, whether it be their parents, neighbours or their friends.

“They really see the value in the Community Transport Program which is way they’re so passionate about it and willing to give up their time.”

Applicants need to be fully licensed with a good driving history and able to complete a first aid training course, which includes learning CPR.

As part of the program, drivers pick up passengers from within 30 kilometres of Heathcote and travel up to 50 kilometres away.

A 20-kilomtre pick up radius surrounds Rochester and passengers are driven to nearby major centres including Bendigo, Echuca and Shepparton.

Ms Wallace said the program is looking to expand to other sites across the state in the future.

“That is still a long-term plan for us. Given lockdowns and things like that those expansion plans have somewhat stalled but they’re definitely still going to be happening over the next few years,” she said.

To learn more about the Community Transport Program or to see whether you’re eligible for its services, visit bit.ly/3txdbvD or call 1300 887 678.