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Broken Hill on 2nd September 2003, South Eastern Section (Reported by Dr Hans-U. Henschel) The RFDS Fanclub Germany particularly supports the Base in Broken Hill. This Base is an essential institution for the town right in the middle of the Outback. Only a few people come to this secluded area, so our Club supports this base above all other Bases.

There were indescribable amazement and joy when I handed over a donation of 5.000,- AUD to John Gall, Treasurer of the Board Director.

This high amount particularly attracted attention, because it was donated in a country so far away to support this important Service that also helps German tourists in cases of emergency. Even the local press published a great article about this donation.

© Dr. Hans-Ullrich Henschel

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During our visit to the Base on 2nd September 2003 we could watch a crew preparing for an emergency operation of top priority.

Dr. Michael Hill, Senior Medical Officer, reported on his work enthusiastically, took us to a Beechcraft King Air and explained the use of many devices and the problems with the strict regulations for safety in Australia.

In the Visitor Centre of the Base with a museum, video shows and a shop Becky Blair, Tourist Facility Supervisor, could report on many facts about the history and the present of the Base. We were given a friendly reception and had a lot of personal talks, so that we want to meet again.

© Dr. Hans-Ullrich Henschel

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We were very pleased about the warm reception at the Base by Becky, John, Michael and all the others and want to thank them very much. We look forward to coming back to Broken Hill and the Flying Doctors next year.

Pictures: Visitor centre of the Broken Hill Base Administration of the Broken Hill Base Handing over our donation to John Gall, Treasurer of the Board Director Emergency operation of top priority Shoptalk with Dr. Michael Hill There’s also German medical equipment used by the Flying Doctors Becky Blair shows the enormous distances on the continent

© Dr. Hans-Ullrich Henschel

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Thanks to our companions In a totally unknown neighbourhood like Broken Hill we needed perfect helpers to deal with the full appointments book.

Broken Hill Outback Tours sent us their Reservation Manager Rolf Züllig, who helped us perfectly with possible communication problems, especially with professional subjects. He also facilitated the cooperation with the press considerably.

Our Tour Driver and Guide Dave Beharrie, also from Outback Tours Broken Hill, was our perfect cameraman with the Flying Doctors and made us appreciate the Outback around Broken Hill, Silverton, White Cliffs, the Mutawintji National Park with his excellent knowledge. Dave also drove us securely around the Outback.

Many thanks to both of them!

Pictures: Rolf Züllig with us at an press interview Dave Beharrie shows some of his friends the newspaper about our donation compaign

© Dr. Hans-Ullrich Henschel

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© Dr. Hans-Ullrich Henschel

flydoc australia e.v.

© Dr. Hans-Ullrich Henschel

flydoc australia e.v.

Press publication in the Barrier Daily Truth

In the daily newspaper "Barrier Daily Truth" of Broken Hill you could read on 3rd September 2003:

TV series proves its worth for RFDS A German fan of the Flying Doctors packed more than his video camera when he turned up at the local base this week. Broken Hill is the latest stopover for Doctor Hans-Ullrich Henschel and his wife Andrea, who are on an Australia-wide tour of Royal Flying Doctor Service bases. Dr Henschel is a member of the German Flying Doctor fan club, which was formed by fans of the Australian television series of the same name which aired in the UK and Europe. The series finished some times ago but the club remains strong – fans can even visit a website – and members make regular pilgrimages to Australia to visit bases. According to Dr Henschel, the show was extremly popluar and there was “great sadness” when a new series wasn´t made. But it´s the real service, and not the series, that fascinates the doctor. “My interest is the real Flying Doctors,” he said. He proved as much yesterday when he presented the treasurer of the South East Section board, John Gall, with $5,000 in cash. The money was donated by patients and staff at Dr Henschel´s pediatrics practice in the city of Hamm, which is near Dusseldorf. While it´s the Henschels first visit to Broken Hill, already on this trip they have visited bases in Perth, Uluru, Townsville and Cairns. On a previous visit in 2001, the couple toured bases at Alice Springs and Cairns.

© Dr. Hans-Ullrich Henschel

flydoc australia e.v. Speaking through an interpreter yesterday, Dr Henschel said he joined the fan club three years ago and has been educating members about the work of the real service ever since. Many Germans would not even realise the RFDS actually exists, and Dr Henschel, using footage he has taken during his visits, regularly spruiks the work of the service to club members. Yesterday he was given a tour of the local base by RFDS doctor, Mike Hill, and filmed a crew preparing for a priority one medical emergency. The couple will fly out on Friday but not before visiting Mutawintji National Park and spending the night at White Cliffs.

*Dr Hans-Ullrich Henschel, who donated $5,000 to the local base, with RFDS board member John Gall.

© Dr. Hans-Ullrich Henschel