A map of memories
A love of traversing our sunburnt country has led to Gillian becoming a passionate supporter of the work of the Flying Doctor.
Gillian’s love of travel has taken her all over Australia; travels which she’s documented with badges on a much-loved quilt.
“For about 35 years I have been travelling and when I got 50 badges on my Akubra I couldn’t wear it anymore, it was too heavy! So I made this map,” says Gillian.
Having traversed the vastness of this great country, Gillian says she has a real appreciation for the Flying Doctor – a service the adventurous octogenarian describes as “an absolute godsend”.
"One day I was driving down the great north road, listening to the ABC, and all through the day they were warning you to keep off the road at about half past seven because the Flying Doctor was going to land on the road! This was near Onslow about 20 years ago.”
As a resident of Raymond Island, a small community in the Gippsland lakes, Gillian has seen first-hand the impact of the recent black summer bushfires on local communities.
In early January, Gillian made the decision to evacuate to the nearby town of Briagolong for a few days, after the fires got dangerously close to her home. Thankfully Raymond Island was spared, but the nearby town of Sarsfield was, tragically, not so fortunate.
Having witnessed the devastation of the fires, Gillian knows how important the ongoing mental health support that Flying Doctor Wellbeing provides is to these communities.
“They need all the help they can get.”
To learn more about RFDS Victoria's services or to donate, please seehttps://www.flyingdoctor.org.au/vic/
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