The 2012 Mining Australia Expo has raised approximately $10,000 for the Royal Flying Doctors (RFDS) as part of the event’s Awards Cocktail Party.

Exhibitors, sponsors and media partners of the Expo donated the prizes for the Charity Auction. The event was hosted by Channel 9 Sports Presenter Tyson Beattie and featured a presentation by WIN General Manager Paul Bowen.

In Western Australia the RFDS has 15 aircraft including the only aeromedical jet in Australia – The Rio Tinto Life Flight jet. The jet has been vitally important to the RFDS in such a large State as Western Australia. For critically ill or injured patients, it can cut the travel time in half for those who are the furthest distances from the major hospitals in Perth. The jet can also take up to three stretcher patients and two full critical care teams.

With the growth in population in every region, from the South-West to the East, to the North-West, the RFDS has had to work very hard in recent years to keep up with the escalating demand for its services throughout the State.

The WA mining sector continues to be a vitally important supporter of the RFDS in WA. Their contribution is pivotal to ensuring the RFDS can continue to take the finest care to Australia's furthest corners so that anyone who lives, works or travels in remote and rural Australia can feel confident that they have access to the best health services. 

The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) is one of the largest and most comprehensive aeromedical organisations in the world. Using the latest in aviation, medical and communications technology, it delivers extensive primary health care and 24-hour emergency service to those who live, work and travel throughout Australia. It also delivers critical support to people who live in urban centres by providing urgent transfers of patients between regional and metropolitan hospitals.