CBH Group and Royal Flying Doctor Service WA announce partnership extension
The CBH Group is pleased to announce an extension of its partnership with the Royal Flying Doctor Service WA (RFDS WA) for a further three years, valued at $450,000.
CBH has been a long-term supporter of the RFDS WA, with the formal partnership starting in 2014 through an initial three-year agreement.
The extension will see the two organisations partner through until 2025 with a total $1.5 million contributed over the duration of the partnership.
Recently celebrating eight years of partnership, CBH’s contribution, on behalf of WA grain growers, has helped play an important role in contributing to airstrip surveys across the grain growing regions of WA and the Aero Medical Fund.
The Aero Medical Fund has enabled the RFDS WA to purchase state-of-the-art medical equipment for its world class aeromedical fleet of 16 Pilatus PC-12 turbo prop aircraft, three Rio Tinto LifeFlight PC-24 jets and two Fortescue Heli-Med Helicopters.
The extension will see CBH continuing to support the RFDS WA for the next three years as an official matched giving partner of the annual ‘Flying Doctor Day’, which is the organisation's leading event, raising funds to purchase equipment required for the Aero Medical Fund.
The partnership extension announcement coincides with National Farm Safety Week, a campaign that aims to raise awareness and remind growers of the importance of on-farm safety.
RFDS WA Chair Sam Walsh AO said “The RFDS WA retrieved 3,054 patients from 48 grain growing communities in the twelve months to the end of September 2021, primarily for accident and illness related emergencies including farm accidents and mental health.
CBH Chair Simon Stead said the RFDS WA is synonymous with West Australian grain growing communities and the CBH co-operative.
“The importance of RFDS WA to grain growers is evident through any conversation you have with a grower.
“So many of us have had family or friends that have needed the service and it is fitting that we announce our partnership extension during National Farm Safety Week, a reminder that safety needs to be a priority in our daily activities.
“It is at the heart of a co-operative to care for the community in which it operates, and we are thrilled to be able to continue support of the RFDS WA’ life-saving work, on behalf of WA grain growers”, said Mr Stead.
In Western Australia, the RFDS WA has five facilities and assists almost 70,000 people each year through aero medical retrievals and transfers, remote healthcare clinics and telehealth services.