The Flying Doctors

The Flying Doctors is an Australian drama television series produced by the Nine Network. The series was created by Crawford Productions and originally aired from 1986 to 1993. It is set in the fictional outback town of Coopers Crossing and follows the activities of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS), a real-life aeromedical service that provides emergency and primary health care services to people living in rural and remote areas of Australia.

Plot

The series revolves around the lives and challenges faced by the medical staff of the RFDS as they provide medical care to the residents of Coopers Crossing and the surrounding areas. The show highlights the unique difficulties of delivering healthcare in the remote Australian Outback, including the vast distances, harsh weather conditions, and limited resources.

Main Characters

• Dr. Tom Callaghan - The initial head doctor of the RFDS in Coopers Crossing, portrayed by Andrew McFarlane.
• Dr. Chris Randall - A dedicated doctor who joins the RFDS, played by Liz Burch.
• Kate Wellings - The head nurse and a key member of the RFDS team, portrayed by Lenore Smith.
• Sam Patterson - The RFDS pilot, played by Peter O'Brien.
• Emma Plimpton - The local publican and a central figure in the community, portrayed by Rebecca Gibney.

Setting

The fictional town of Coopers Crossing is depicted as a small, close-knit community in the Australian Outback. The town serves as the base for the RFDS team, who frequently travel by plane to reach patients in remote locations. The series showcases the rugged beauty of the Australian landscape and the unique lifestyle of its inhabitants.

Production

The Flying Doctors was produced by Crawford Productions, a well-known Australian production company. The series was filmed on location in Minyip, Victoria, which served as the stand-in for Coopers Crossing. The show was praised for its realistic portrayal of the challenges faced by the RFDS and its depiction of life in rural Australia.

Legacy

The Flying Doctors remains one of Australia's most beloved television series. It brought attention to the vital work of the Royal Flying Doctor Service and highlighted the importance of providing medical care to remote communities. The series has been syndicated in various countries and continues to have a dedicated fan base.

See Also

• Royal Flying Doctor Service
• Australian television
• Crawford Productions
• Minyip, Victoria