Australia’s richest Gina Reinhart donates $16 million to Royal Flying Doctors

Reinhart Medical Foundation and Hancock Prospecting join the New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australian divisions of this 95-year-old organization that relies on donations for one-third of the healthcare it provides. We are going to inject a lot of cash.

Greg Sam, CEO of Royal Flying Doctor Services (South East Division), said the $4 million grant to New South Wales will help RFDS provide essential health care in remote areas and 30,000 hospitals. He said it took place at a “troublesome” time in New South Wales’ history, as it has played a key role in providing more than 2,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccinations. Vulnerable Communities Under Pandemic.

“Since then, RFDS has continued to provide quality care to rural and remote communities in NSW, navigating increasingly difficult economic conditions and rising costs,” Sam said. rice field.

A Queensland donation of $4 million will go toward the maintenance of new Beechcraft King Air 360 aircraft and their operations at the Brisbane base, which is scheduled to be redeveloped.

RFDS (Queensland) CEO Meredith Stuib said the gift will continue to foster high quality patient care and help reduce response times.

“Normally there are 10 flights to our Brisbane hub and in the last year alone more than 4,250 patients from 63 different locations have passed through the hub. We expect it to increase,” she said. Mr Stube said.

“The multi-million dollar donation provides reassurance that every Queenslander is connected to the best healthcare available, no matter where they live, work or play in the state. ,” said Staib.

In addition, the Reinhart Medical Foundation and Roy Hill, Hancock Prospending’s iron ore mine in the Pilbara, have agreed to an $8 million partnership with Western Australia’s RFDS.

The donation will be used to purchase and maintain the new Swiss-made Pilatus aircraft, which is scheduled to be delivered in 2026.

RFDS said Reinhart’s family’s involvement with the organization dates back to the 1950s, when her mother, Hope Hancock, hosted a fundraiser at her home.

The Reinhart Medical Foundation also provided RFDS with a significant $6 million donation early in the COVID-19 pandemic.

The donation follows Mrs Reinhart’s donation of $5 million to the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation last week.

Originally published as Gina Reinhart donates $16 million to improve healthcare for rural Australians