BHP Olympic Dam today announced the renewal of its partnership with the Royal Flying Doctor Service Central Operations (RFDS), worth $300,000 over the next three years.  

BHP’s contribution will help the RFDS to provide its life-saving service to South Australian communities, many of which are in rural and remote areas.

Making the announcement at the RFDS’s Adelaide Base, Olympic Dam Asset President Laura Tyler said the new agreement was part of BHP’s support of health and wellbeing in its host communities.

“We’ve been operating in remote South Australia for 30 years, and we understand the vital role the RFDS has played over many years in helping people across the State during times of great need,” she said.

“Olympic Dam is proud to support the RFDS, and we hope our contribution will make a lasting difference to South Australia’s regional, rural and remote communities.”

RFDS Central Operations Deputy Chairman Paul Prestwich OAM said the RFDS had been saving lives for 90 years.

“The RFDS conducts over 15 aeromedical flights across South Australia every day – but it relies on the financial support of the community to help keep its crews in the sky,” Mr Prestwich said.

“BHP’s sponsorship will directly support our capital-raising program for on-going upgrade of our fleet of ‘flying intensive care units’ that deliver 24/7 emergency aeromedical services throughout South and Central Australia,” he said.

“Our association with BHP Olympic Dam stretches back more than a decade, and we’re extremely proud to renew BHP as a Major Sponsor of RFDS Central Operations,” Mr Prestwich added.

In recognition of BHP’s support, Mr Prestwich and Ms Tyler unveiled BHP branding on RFDS aircraft VH-FVB – also known as ‘Bravo’ – which has a long history with the mining company.

“BHP funded the medical fit out of Bravo back in 2010, and since then the plane has airlifted more than 7,100 patients – including 76 from Roxby Downs – so we feel a special connection to this aircraft,” Ms Tyler said.