This money will help ensure a volunteer transport service continues to operate for people who would otherwise struggle to access health care.
The Royal Flying Doctor Service Victoria has committed $3 million over the next two years to fund its Community Transport program.
The program provides free transport for eligible residents to attend medical and specialist appointments and social support groups.
Launched in 2019, Flying Doctor Community Transport has delivered approximately 9000 trips across Cobram and nearby Numurkah in the past two and a half years alone.
The service supports people with cancer, chronic illness, disability and other complex health needs.
The initiative has since been expanded to 10 locations across the state with the support of federal funding, which has now ceased.
Royal Flying Doctor Service Victoria chief executive Dr Michael Ben-Meir thanked Cobram and Numurkah communities for their support, which helped secure the service’s continuation.
“As a charity, most of the programs the Flying Doctor offers in the community rely on donations,” he said.
“We are extremely fortunate to have strong local support, not just through donations, but through advocacy for services that break down barriers to accessing health care.”
Dr Ben-Meir said almost a century on from the Flying Doctor’s first aeromedical flight, access to transport remained the missing link between connecting rural and remote patients with care.
“People in towns like Cobram and Numurkah often have fewer services locally and must travel long distances to see a GP or specialist,” he said.
“Without Flying Doctor Community Transport, many would simply miss out.”
Major supporters from the region include the Lions Club of Cobram, Rotary Club of Cobram, the Uniting Church Fellowship Ladies Guild, and the Cobram Sit and Sew Group.
Community feedback shows the service is making a tangible difference, with almost 90 per cent of clients reporting reduced financial stress as a result of accessing transport.
“Programs like Community Transport only exist because local communities step up — through businesses, service clubs, community groups and individuals,” Dr Ben-Meir said.
“Every donation matters, and ongoing community support will ensure we can keep going above and beyond for the rural and remote Victorians well into the future.”
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