Hancock Ag’s Adam Giles, centre, presents the cheque for $750,000 to RDFS Queensland division representatives, from left, Lachie Hart (RFDS Foundation board director), Meredith Staib (CEO RFDS Queensland Section), Sylvia Bhatia (CEO QCoal Foundation and RFDS Foundation Board Director), and Cameron MacMillan (RFDS (Queensland) director.
HANCOCK Agriculture has committed to a further three-year, $750,000 partnership with the Royal Flying Doctor Service’s Queensland Section, continuing its deep commitment to rural and regional communities.
The funding, which is structured as $250,000 annually over three years, will be directly allocated to sponsoring one of the RFDS’s Queensland-based aircraft, ensuring it remains fully operational, in the sky, and ready to respond to outback medical emergencies.
Operating an aeromedical fleet across Queensland requires immense resources, with aviation fuel, ongoing maintenance, and highly specialised medical outfitting driving significant operational costs.
Hancock Ag chief executive officer Adam Giles presented the donation on behalf of Hancock Prospecting executive chairman, Gina Rinehart, whose longstanding philanthropic support for the RFDS has been instrumental in saving lives across remote Australia.
“It is a privilege to be here today representing Mrs Rinehart to continue this vital partnership,” Mr Giles said.
“Mrs Rinehart grew up on family stations in what was then very remote north West Australia. She experienced, and understands first-hand, the isolation of outback life and the absolute necessity of obtainable medical care for those who live and work hundreds of kilometres from the nearest hospital.
“With her roots, she is a natural champion of those in the outback and appreciates the essential work of those who serve day after day and year after year in our Royal Flying Doctor Service.”
Mr Giles said the $250,000 annual commitment, following the millions of dollars Mrs Rinehart and her companies had already given, would help to keep the Flying Doctor in the sky, helping the outback communities that are the backbone of our country.
This targeted sponsorship guarantees that a critical aircraft in the RFDS Queensland fleet will have the steady financial backing it needs to continue its life-saving flights.
This occasion follows the long-term commitment of Mrs Hope Hancock, Gina Rinehart’s mother, who held annual lunches for the Royal Flying Doctor Service over many years in the garden of their Dalkeith home.
Mrs Rinehart said the Royal Flying Doctor Service was essential for those who live in the bush, and, for the city dwellers who visit.
She shared fond memories of RFDS fund-raising events hosted over many years by her mother, Lang Hancock’s wife Hope, at their Dalkeith home in Perth.
“They knew first-hand how essential the Royal Flying Doctor Services are to lives in the bush. Touching stories were exchanged both happy and sad, but all very real over the lunches,” Mrs Hancock said.
good on Gina for her long standing contributions and anyone else who digs deep to support this and these types of services. it’s absolutely ridiculous though that such a service should rely on donations. we give billions like lollies to people who are barely even citizens to our country. not mention the other scams that continually get government handouts. cheers Matthew Della Gola