2002 Year of the Outback: 'Frontier Services Celebrates 90 Years Serving Outback Australia'
14th January 2002
From: Frontier Services
2002 has been designated Year of the Outback. It is fitting that during a year when the focus of the nation shifts to the outback, Frontier Services should mark a significant milestone in its history - 90 years of continuous service to the people of 'The Inland'.
The Australian continent is ancient. More than 20% of the inland is desert or semi-arid. In the past, some land holdings were as large as 20,000 square kilometers and many were around 8 -16,000 square kilometers. Rainfall in much of the outback is less than 25 centimeters a year. Early explorers such as Burke and Wills, fired the imagination of those living around the coast. With the discovery of gold in the Northern Territory in 1871 and the building of the overland telegraph line in 1872, many began to venture into the Outback.
The churches at the time were concerned about those living in these areas and Congregational Ministers began to travel out in the 1890s. The Smith of Dunesk Mission in South Australia sent out the Presbyterian Minister, Rev Robert Mitchell in 1895-9, to areas north of Beltana and a nursing service was commenced at Oodnadatta by Sister E A Main in 1907.
Rev John Flynn had worked in rural and remote areas in Victoria, and was commissioned by the Presbyterian Church to look at the needs in the far north. His report resulted in the establishment of the Australian Inland Mission (AIM) in 1912.
Flynn had a vision to bring health care and other services to the isolated people of inland Australia, and to establish a "mantle of safety" so they could establish community and live in peace and security amidst the hardships of outback life.
One of the needs was medical safety and more nursing outposts were commenced. Sister M A Latto Bett followed Sister Main at Oodnadatta where a hospital was built in 1911. It came into the AIM work in 1913. The sisters travelled by camel, horse, rail and even motor tricycle.
The first AIM Padres went out in 1913 by camel and horse from Pine Creek, Oodnadatta, Broome and Port Hedland. The first car was purchased for Cloncurry in 1915.
Colonel A T Holden was appointed Federal Director of the Federal Methodist Inland Mission (FMIM) in 1926 and six FMIM padres were sent out on patrol.
John Flynn dreamed of using aircraft to conquer the barrier of distance and in 1928, the AIM Aerial Medical Service was formed. By 1935, it was a separate church organisation and by 1939, it became autonomous and known as the Flying Doctor Service.
Now there were nurses and doctors but not much in the way of communication as there were no telephones or even electricity. With Flynn's encouragement the pedal wireless was invented by Alf Traeger, opening up communication not only with doctors and patients but also between families and isolated people in the outback. By 1937 there were 64 pedal wireless sets in the AIM network which comprised 9 Hospitals, 7 Patrol Padres, 8 Mission and Welfare Centres and 3 Aerial Medical Service bases.
In 1951 following the death of John Flynn, Fred McKay was appointed Superintendent and continued to build the network of support.
With church union of the Congregational, Methodist and Presbyterian Churches in 1977, all of the work of the Australian Inland Mission was formally united with that of the Federal Methodist Inland Mission and the Congregational Union's work through the National Home Mission, although they had been co-operating for many years.
The Uniting Church and the continuing Presbyterian Church agreed that neither church would use the name Australian Inland Mission. In 1980, the Uniting Church decided to use the name which Flynn himself used to denote our work, "Frontier Services".
Flynn's vision for outback people continues today through Frontier Services. It is still the welcome visitor, the friend, the counsellor and advocate for bush people. The work has continued uninterrupted for 90 years, and our commitment to those challenged by distance increases with every passing year.
In speaking about the significance of its 90th Anniversary, National Director of Frontier Services, Rosemary Young, said "the challenges have changed from those faced by Flynn but the isolation of distance and the harsh environment mean the challenges of sustaining community and providing a 'safety net' for the people of the Outback, are every bit as real today. Disease, mental illness, accidents, unemployment, mortality and suicide rates are higher per head of population in remote areas than anywhere else in Australia. Even so, services are diminishing exacerbating the great sense of isolation often felt by the people who live beyond the reach of support; something their urban counterparts take for granted."
"While others withdraw services from the Outback, Frontier Services is increasing its commitment to supporting people in remote locations," said Mrs Young. "This year, we will recognise our heritage, celebrate the relationships and credibility established through 90 years of continuous service and focus on the task that still lies before us - sustaining community in remote areas."
Contact: Rosemary Young - National Director
Phone: (02) 8267 4242
