7/29/2019 130920 Conlan - RFDS Plane

1/2

MINISTER FOR ARTS AND MUSEUMS

HISTORIC PLANE RECEIVES ROYAL MAKEOVER

20 September 2013

The Northern Territory Government and the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) have combined torestore a significant piece of Flying Doctor history in Alice Springs.

Minister for Arts and Museums Matt Conlan said the John Flynn aircraft on display outside of theCentral Australian Aviation Museum in the Araluen precinct had received a makeover fit for aQueen.

Im delighted the iconic John Flynn has been returned to its former glory, Mr Conlan said of theaircraft which was named after the founder of the RFDS back in 1928.

This is no ordinary aircraft. It was inspected by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on her famous visitto the Flying Doctor Service Broken Hill Base back in 1954. The Queen was so impressed by thevisit she bestowed the Royal prefix on the Flying Doctor Service the following year.

So, given her Majestys links to the RFDS its only natural for her to plan a visit and give the newlyrevamped John Flynn aircraft the Royal seal of approval.

And with next year being the 75th Anniversary of the establishment of the RFDS Base in AliceSprings, the timing couldnt be more perfect for her Majesty to book a holiday to the Centre.

Mr Conlan said the Northern Territory Government and the RFDS shared the $20,000 cost ofrepainting and replacing the windows of the De Havilland Australia DHA-3 Drover John Flynnaircraft which was in service with the RFDS between 1952 and 1970.

The aircraft has been repainted in its original green and white livery, the very same it sported whenit was last in service.

The RFDS Alice Springs Base was established in 1939, with the John Flynn aircraft acquired bythe Central Australian Aviation Museum in the late 1970s after being found at Parafield Airport inAdelaide where it had gone after finishing service with the RFDS. The John Flynn was the firstaircraft exhibit at the Museum and it has been on stilts outside since it arrived.

Mr Conlan said the revamped John Flynn and recent $3 million upgrade to the Brolga award-winning Royal Flying Doctor Alice Springs Tourist Facility were helping grow tourism in the region.

Central Australia has such a strong history with the RFDS that Alice Springs is quickly becoming amust-visit location for aviation enthusiasts, Mr Conlan said.

The RFDS Alice Springs Tourist Facility is experiencing its strongest year in some time withvisitors up 18 per cent on 2012. Now with the revamped John Flynn Central Australia has anothermajor aviation drawcard to attract more tourists to the Territory.

7/29/2019 130920 Conlan - RFDS Plane

2/2

RFDS General Manager for Northern Territory, Michael Toomey, said the preservation of the JohnFlynn highlighted the long history of the organisation and the vital role it continues to play inCentral Australia and beyond.

The RFDS has been a part of Alice Springs for almost 75 years and by maintaining the publicsconnection to our very significant past we can increase their appreciation of the work we still do tomaintain and enhance John Flynns mantle of safety right across Australia, Mr Toomey said.

By investing in our history in Central Australia we can continue to attract increasing numbers oftourists and not only raise important funds to support our work, but also build communityawareness and understanding of the RFDS.

Media Contact:

Adrian Renzi 0419 609 430