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Guest Speaker Report Wednesday 24 November2010 by Rotarian Ian Johnson (reporter)
Our guest speaker was Rev Paul Bartlett who spoke to us about “Frontier Services”. Paul was introduced by PP Rod McDougall. Paul informed us that Rev John Flynn founded the Inland Mission Frontier Services in 1912. Paul told us that John Flynn’s mother died when he was five and that one of his brothers died from TB. He subsequently became a minister of religion and travelled to the outback. There he saw the needs of the people living there and resolved to address those needs. Paul pointed out that John Flynn’s image is fittingly recorded on the Australian twenty dollar note. Paul stated that John Flynn loved the bush and its people. He admired their resilience and “can do” attitude. He and his helpers walked alongside these people offering spiritual and physical assistance when required. He established Remote Nursing Clinics, five of which are still in operation today. The nurses were sent to these clinics for a period of two years and were known as “Flynn’s Angels”. Their presence made it less hazardous for women and children to also live in the outback. In 1928 the Aerial Medical Service was established. This eventually became the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Communications were also greatly assisted by the development of the “pedal wireless”. This meant that long distance medical advice could be received instantaneously. Today Frontier Services provides 80% of aged care in remote areas of Australia. They also provide childhood education to families on remote properties and migrant services to remote mining communities. Paul advised us that in one mining community in W.A. there are 85 nationalities represented. Increasingly they are providing mental health support to those on the land. Paul informed us that there are many volunteers offering to spend one to two weeks on an outback property. He said that “once you get the red dust under your feet it stays there forever”. Paul’s first experience of the outback was through a one month placement. Paul concluded by noting that now that Australia is becoming more coastal-centric the people of the outback need a strong voice more than ever. Paul was thanked by Janelle Watson. |