Skytrans Blog

Archive for the ‘Thargomindah’ Category

Ladies Day…Fifty Shades of Durham Downs Station

Thursday, November 22nd, 2012

The truckies radios were abuzz…

’Where are all these ladies going on the roads?’

Blokes have Ag Shows and Rodeos to go to but this weekend was about giving the ladies some of the things that were, well, just for ladies.

This was a day for meeting like-minded rural and remote women, sharing stories, being inspired by guest speakers from around the country and being empowered to take control of their own health and well-being.

Cocktails and coffee, massages and manicures were all crammed into one day, Saturday 10th November – approximately 1400km west of Brisbane at remote Durham Downs Station, located on the Cooper Creek. The only town further west is Innamincka, near the famous Burke & Wills Dig Tree, then next stop Lake Eyre and the Simpson Desert.

The brainchild of Durham Down’s governess, Kristy McGregor, this 20 year old dynamo (with the support of Managers Michelle Reay & Jon Cobb and the Station team), co-ordinated the event – drawing 100 women from Quilpie, Longreach, Charleville, Birdsville areas as well as Northern NSW and SA, with ages ranging from 90 to 14.

 Ladies arrived from up to 10 hours drive away, craving some female company and conversation. With the chance to ‘frock-up’ being rare in the bush, Friday night started with a massive storm, turning the red soil into a mud pie. High heels were very practically traded for boots and thongs, but undeterred, everyone dressed in pink for the Jane McGrath Foundation fundraising cocktail party. Gay Tully from Windorah gave an empassioned speech about being a cancer survivor.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) flew in with their team, offering counselling, pap smears, breast exams and the latest in medical information.

The guest speakers were Robyn Hills, an award winning photographer, helicopter pilot and fashion designer from Caloundra, Qld, who spoke about being creative and passionate about life, while sharing her photographs for visual inspiration.

Acclaimed author Meme McDonald shared her journey of being raised in the bush and becoming a writer. She encouraged the women to document their resilience and life in the outback.

Ana Snyman flew in from Byron Bay and got a packed house to her presentation on understanding how your body works, demystifying the female anatomy and giving excellent practical advice on improving your sex life. The women attending commented that they never realized how much they didn’t know and were grateful for the opportunity to have an open discussion about what works and how to improve, which is sure to please their partners after staying home to look after the children.

Travelling from Perth, Stephanie Coombes, a ringer in WA, shared her passion of social media. Women learned about Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, and using a blog to network and communicate rural activites.

Lyn Barnes is a well-known Australian artist with a gallery in Quilpie.

Women were given the opportunity to dabble in some art by contributing to a group painting under her guidance. She created a scene depicting a stockwoman wearing a pink workshirt, which was then auctioned for the RFDS and Jane McGrath Foundation.

The weekend would not be possible without the support of Bulloo Shire Council, Desert Channels Queensland, Regional Arts Development Fund, Drill Search, Mighty Leaf Tea and Skytrans.

Some of the comments of the feedback forms were:

  • My cheeks are sore from laughing so much
  • Have made fabulous new friends
  • Feel totally rejuventated and ready to go back to the station
  • Finally got to talk to another woman
  • I drive 600km for my husband, I drive 600km for my children, but I never drive 600km for myself – so decided to come
  • Are we having another one next year?

 

Article coutesy of Kristy McGregor & Michelle Reay of Durham Downs Station

Photo’s courtesy of Robyn Hills www.ROBYNgraphs.com.au

 

 


Posted in Bedourie, Birdsville, Boulia, Charleville, Community Support, Cunnamulla, Quilpie, St George, Thargomindah, Western 1, Western 2, Windorah | Comments Off

Thargomindah’s 2012 Melbourne Cup Celebrations

Thursday, November 22nd, 2012

The RFDS Thargomindah Auxiliary held its bi-annual Melbourne Cup Luncheon this year at the sports oval. Previously the event has been held at the Shire Hall however this year the venue was changed an open air facility to incorporate more children’s activities with the adjoining skate park.

The event attracted approximately 80 people from the community, many of whom were dressed in their finest race wear to vie for the various ‘best dressed’ awards and prizes.

The Calcutta was well supported and the event raised over $5000 for the RFDS.

The lucky door prize of two return Skytrans airfares to Brisbane was hotly sought after but was won by Debbie Czislowski who was also fortunate enough to pick the Melbourne Cup winner and shared in the Calcutta first prize with long-time friend Susan Gray.

  


Posted in Community Support, Thargomindah, Western 1 | Comments Off

Monday, November 5th, 2012

Don’t wait for a disaster to happen before you think about how you and your family are going to survive.

 

In a major disaster, high winds, rising floodwaters, debris or damaged roads can prevent emergency services from reaching you.

Your community could be isolated and essential services disrupted for up to three days or more.

During a large scale event emergency services will focus on assisting the most vulnerable in the community.

You may not have immediate access to support and will need to rely on the supplies and equipment you have on hand at home.

If you were isolated right now, would you be prepared?

 

 For more information contact;

Emergency Management Queensland

Community Engagement Officer Christopher Wegger

Christopher.wegger@dcs.qld.gov or 40328682

 

 

 

 

 


Posted in Announcement, Aurukun, Bedourie, Birdsville, Boulia, Brisbane, Burketown, Cairns, Charleville, Cloncurry, Coen, Cunnamulla, Doomadgee, Gulf Region, Karumba, Kowanyama, Lockhart River, Mornington Island, Mount Isa, Normanton, Northern Peninsula Area, Pormpuraaw (Edward River), Quilpie, St George, Sydney, Thargomindah, Toowoomba, Western 1, Western 2, Windorah | Comments Off

Skytrans Provides Lift for Frontier Services

Tuesday, September 4th, 2012

The Managing Director of Skytrans, Simon Wild announced today details of a community partnership with Frontier Services that will strengthen the provider’s network of services and care delivered to remote families across Queensland.

Under the partnership, Skytrans will provide Frontier Services’ staff with flights to remote locations across Queensland to enable the provision of vital services; particularly children’s services for young families and health care in remote communities.

“Skytrans operates to some of Queensland’s most isolated and remote communities and understands

the challenges that people in these communities face on a daily basis, in terms of quality of life. Through our partnership with Frontier Services we feel that we are making a contribution that offers people access to a service that provides social and emotional support to those in need,” he said.

According to Frontier Services Regional Manager, Karen Harvey, the partnership will assist child care workers with the Frontier Services Remote Family Care Service to reach isolated families and provide relief child care for up to three weeks a year.

The Remote Family Care Service works alongside the Frontier Services Remote Area Families Service (RAFS). FiveRAFS teams of trained early childhood specialists travel out to remote properties and communities in four-wheel-drive vehicles, jam-packed with educational toys and activities for the children. They also provide resources, advice and support to the parents.

Frontier Services also has two health care services in Queensland; the Savannah Regional Health Service and the Bollon Bush Nursing Centre. The Savannah Regional Health Service, based out of Georgetown, played an active role in helping the community recover from Cyclone Yasi.

Ms Harvey said that in effect, “The families, who are a long way from mainstream child care services, can access the service when they need it most, for example during shearing, mustering or hardship.

“Being able to access the flights to get our child care workers around the state will make a huge difference. It will give us more flexibility to respond to a family’s request, particularly if there is an urgent need. It will also greatly reduce travel time for the child care workers, many of whom are on the road for weeks at a time.

“We are delighted to begin this partnership with Skytrans that will strengthen the whole region as we work together to support remote Queensland,” she said.

Pictured:

John Dickinson, Frontier Services National Development Manager with Skytrans Managing Director Simon Wild.

Karen Harvey, Frontier Service QLD Regional Manager; Anna Burley, Frontier Services Primary Health Care Nurse & Team Leader of the Savannah Regional Health Service; Steve Jones, Skytrans Commercial Manager of RPT Services; Billy Gordon, Skytrans Community Development Manager.

 


Posted in Announcement, Aurukun, Bedourie, Birdsville, Boulia, Brisbane, Burketown, Cairns, Charleville, Cloncurry, Coen, Community Support, Cunnamulla, Doomadgee, Gulf Region, Karumba, Kowanyama, Lockhart River, Mornington Island, Mount Isa, Normanton, Northern Peninsula Area, Pormpuraaw (Edward River), Quilpie, St George, Sydney, Thargomindah, Toowoomba, Western 1, Western 2, Windorah | Comments Off

Skytrans launches its inaugural ‘Social Investments Report’

Monday, July 30th, 2012

 

On Tuesday 17th July Skytrans officially launched the company’s first ever Social Investment Report. The Social Investment Report will be produced annually and showcases the richness and depth of the company’s giving back to the communities that give to us.

The Skytrans Community Development team has been working on the inaugural report for some time, and are proud to finally launch the document which gives a comprehensive view of the valuable corporate social responsibility work that the company is involved in throughout the state. By making social investments into the delivery of programs, activities and initiatives that support youth development, leadership, sports, health care, education and the arts, we aim to contribute to improving the quality of life that people live throughout remote Queensland. 

From our support of the Taipans and the Northern Pride here in Cairns, to the Mount Isa Rodeo, the Birdsville Races or RFDS primary health care clinics in Coen, we are giving back to communities –and with a combined financial / in-kind contribution of $846,404 in 2011 alone we are certainly punching above our weight!

If you are interested in reading more about the great work we are doing as a company, you can view the 2011 Social Investments Report on the website at http://skytrans.com.au/docs/skytrans-social-invest-report.pdf or get the latest updates here on the blog.

For further information regarding Skytrans’ social investment work please feel free to contact Skytran’s Community Development team:

Chelly Hewson or Billy Gordon on 07 40406700 / communitydevelopment@skytrans.com.au

 

Pictured are: Dwayne Vale (Taipans), with Billy Gordon (Skytrans) & Peter Harm (Commonwealth Bank, Indigenous Banking Unit).  Steve Jones (Skytrans Commercial Manager), Chelly Hewson (Skytrans) & Robbie Bastion (Parker Travel Collection)

 


Posted in Announcement, Aurukun, Bedourie, Birdsville, Boulia, Brisbane, Burketown, Cairns, Charleville, Cloncurry, Coen, Community Support, Cunnamulla, Doomadgee, Gulf Region, Karumba, Kowanyama, Lockhart River, Mornington Island, Mount Isa, Normanton, Northern Peninsula Area, Pormpuraaw (Edward River), Quilpie, St George, Thargomindah, Toowoomba, Western 1, Western 2, Windorah | Comments Off

RFDS Highlights the Sensitive Issue of Men’s Health

Tuesday, July 24th, 2012

The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) recently held a series of free Men’s Health Events throughout South Western Queensland to highlight and provided information about the importance of men’s health issues. The events were organised by the RFDS Charleville Base and took place in Charleville on the 29thof May and in Birdsville & Thargomindah on the 30th of May.

Former Test Cricketer and ambassador for Andrology Austraila, Merv Hughes was secured as spokesperson for the events, to encourage men to talk about their “tackle”. It was a great opportunity for the community to have a yarn about cricket, but also to think about the information provided and seek out appropriate health care.

Skytrans also came on board to encourage community participation, by providing a lucky door prize of a free return trip to Brisbane, at each event.

 

 

                                    

               Cr Jody Barr with Merv Hughes in Birdsville

 

 

 


Posted in Birdsville, Charleville, Community Support, Thargomindah, Western 1, Western 2 | Comments Off

Halloween Party held at Thargomindah in aid of the RFDS QLD

Monday, December 19th, 2011

On Saturday 29th October, the small community of Thargomindah donned their witches and wizard costumes to attend the Halloween Party. The event started with a “Trick or Treat” event for the local children on a warm evening. Local school teachers guided 41 keen youngsters to various houses in  the town who received plenty of “treats”.

The party then moved on to the local Shire Hall where the adults were waiting to greet the youngsters with a  smoke machine and cob web decorations  to set the atmosphere.

Supper was provided and there were some ghoulish dishes including  a coffin chocolate cake and green cupcakes.

The judging of the costumes was done with difficulty by 3 local dignitaries as Thargomindah residents really do like to dress  up and put a huge effort into their costumes.

The highlight of the evening was the drawing of the lucky door prize, a return airfare for two to Brisbane with Skytrans Airline and this was won by Paul Rush, the local caravan park manager.

The evening then progressed with a disco of suitably  ghoulish music and over $3000 was raised for the RFDS.

                                               

 

 


Posted in Community Support, Thargomindah | Comments Off