Wholesome support for vital service

By Owen Sinclair

Mar 20, 2025

Uniting Church Ladies Guild members Liz Palazzi, Anna Creighton, Dot Carter, Heather Hosie, vice president Rosemary Collie, president Margaret Watson and RFDS volunteer liaison officer Shirley Coonerty. Photo by Owen Sinclair

Picture this: you’re alone in your home, with a crucial medical appointment booked the next day.

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Your friends and family are all away, and can’t take you there.

Who do you call?

If you’re like many people in the Cobram district, the answer is the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS).

For the past two years, patients have turned to the organisation’s community transport service in times of need.

To show its appreciation for, and the continued need of, the service in the community, the Cobram Uniting Church Ladies’ Guild has handed over a $900 donation to the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Victoria).

The funds were raised from the proceeds of the guild’s recent Pancake Day afternoon tea on Tuesday, March 4.

Guild president Margaret Watson said it was another way for the church to give back to the community.

“We just wanted to help our community,” she said.

“Not only in our church, but in our community there’s a lot of people (who rely on RFDS). And we feel that we’re reaching out and helping them by doing this.”

Since May 2023, the free service has provided a critical link for those in the community - particularly the elderly - whose family and friends are unable to take them to appointments in destinations like Shepparton and Albury.

Mrs Watson said there’s many people in the community who wouldn’t be able to get to the appointments they need to without the help of the RFDS.

“If we donate some money, that helps people here in Cobram,” Mrs Watson said.

It’s the second donation in two years made by the guild to the RFDS.

Last year, the guild donated over $2000 to the service from funds raised by its Pancake Day.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service Community Transport program relies on the help of 14 volunteer drivers who take patients wherever they need to go.

RFDS volunteer liaison officer Shirley Coonerty said community transport is an impactful program delivered by RFDS Victoria, making a difference right here in Cobram.

“The money generously donated by the Cobram Uniting Church Adult Fellowship Ladies' Guild to RFDS Victoria is so appreciated, and will help support us to provide Flying Doctor Community Transport in Cobram,“ she said.

Anyone interested in using the service can book a trip by calling 03 7046 4664.