A Royal memory to treasure

The day dawned warm and windy in Longreach, QLD on Monday (November 5) as the RFDS prepared to welcome HRH The Prince of Wales and HRH The Duchess of Cornwall who were naming an aircraft in honour of the RFDS Friends in the UK. A UK based support group of which the Prince is Patron.

The breeze was a welcome respite at the characterful Qantas Heritage Hangar where the ceremony was to take place. The Dubbo based aircaft to be named had flown into Longreach the night before (with the name under cover) and aboard were pilot Capt Craig Nethery, Senior Medical Officer Mike Hill and Senior Flight Nurse Karen Barlow. They were there to show the Royal visitors a simulated emergency response from the Flying Doctor, to a man who was injured 500km from Longreach.