Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) base

Author

Shire of Meekatharra

Place Number

25165

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Location

Main St Meekatharra

Location Details

Local Government

Meekatharra

Region

Midwest

Construction Date

Constructed from 1945

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type	Status	Date	Documents	More information
(no listings)

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type	Status	Date	Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type	Status	Date	Grading/Management		More information
Type	Status	Date	Category	Description	More information
Municipal Inventory	Adopted	21 Sep 2013	Category C	Category C Encourage retention of the place, and document and undertake photo record of the place prior to any development or if retention is not possible.

Statement of Significance

The Royal Flying Doctor Building represents associations with the provision of essential health and transport services in the isolated regional area of Meekatharra.

Physical Description

The single storey concrete building with security screened aluminium framed windows is domestic in scale and appearance with a simple hipped roof that extends over a front and side verandah supported by slender steel posts. It is set back from the road behind a low fence and grassed area.

History

The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Base opened in Meekatharra in 1945. The Base was established by fundraising efforts of local residents with contributions of wool, gymkhanas and sports days. Before the new organisation could afford its own plane a local pilot and owner of a Tiger Moth worked under charter. Government subsidies arrived later to assist with ongoing costs. When the Meekatharra RFDS eventually obtained its own plane the hangar at the Meekatharra airport was a mine winder shed transported from Wiluna. In December 2008, a new base was installed at the airport adjacent to the RFDS hangar facilities.
RFDS (Western Operations) has three medical officers who work from the Meekatharra Hospital. The Service has two aircraft, five pilots and five flight nurses as well as the doctors. There are no other doctors in Meekatharra or within a radius of approximately 200 kms. The RFDS Medical Officers handle RFDS aerial clinics, aerial medical evacuations and in-patient and outpatient care at the Meekatharra Hospital. Their public health role is worked in conjunction with the local community health nurses.

Integrity/Authenticity

INTEGRITY High degree
AUTHENTICITY High degree

Condition

Good

Other Reference Numbers

Ref Number	Description
15	Municipal Inventory

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

Epoch	General	Specific
Present Use	Transport\Communications	Air: 0ffice or Administration Bldg
Original Use	Transport\Communications	Air: 0ffice or Administration Bldg

Construction Materials

Type	General	Specific
Roof	METAL	Corrugated Iron
Wall	CONCRETE	Concrete Block

Historic Themes

General	Specific
TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS	Air transport

Creation Date

30 May 2014

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

01 Jan 2017

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.