The Flying Doctor

#128 Bull dust, chandelier skies and a whiff of wombat

The Flying Doctor

Show Notes

After experiencing a childhood filled with outback road trips, RFDS Policy and Advocacy Advisor Doug Wyllie carries the red dust of a million miles of the Australian outback in his veins. From the stories of wearing swimming goggles while his parents negotiated driving along an outback road without a windscreen, to the real-life RFDS rescue mission he launched on the remote Birdsville track, Doug shares his crazy adventures along distant 'tracks less travelled'. And this episode also comes with a listener WARNING! You may be at risk of wanting to jump in your car or hop aboard a motorbike and immediately head 'out bush', after listening to Doug's tall tales. But if you do, just make sure to look out for any bull dust! *** Thanks so much for listening to this episode of the Flying Doctor Podcast. It is lovely to have you along on the journey with us. You can also find out more about the volunteer HF Radio network mentioned in this interview at VKS-737 The Australian National 4WD Radio Network. There has been some wonderful feedback from listeners about our podcast and the incredible people we have interviewed. Word of mouth is always the best promotion for a podcast – so if you enjoy this podcast, or a specific story, please share with family and friends. Reviews and ratings help our podcast to be found by others, so if you can take the time to do that it would be appreciated. You can also send feedback, questions or comments through to [email protected]. We'd also love you to become part of the Flying Doctor Podcast Facebook group, where passionate listeners and incredible outback communities come together. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More from The Flying Doctor

Oct 8, 2025

There are plenty of strong and resilient women across rural and remote Australia, and Carol Godfrey is a wonderful example. Managing and living on a large pastoral property in South West Queensland, Carol Godfrey has seen it all. One day in 2011, when she had to move 500 cattle to a neighbours property, the cattle were released (by another person) too early and headed in the wrong direction. In her hast to ger her mustering helicopter into the air, she made a critical error...and was lucky to survive a catastrophic crash landing. ***** Thanks so much for listening to the Flying Doctor Podcast. It is lovely to have you along on the journey with us. There has been some wonderful feedback from listeners and those we have interviewed. Word of mouth is always the best promotion for a podcast – so if you enjoy this podcast, or a specific story, please share with family and friends. Reviews and ratings help our podcast to be found by others, so if you can take the time to do that it would be appreciated. You can also send feedback, questions or comments through to [email protected]. Please join the conversation at our Facebook Group called the Flying Doctor Podcast Community And if you haven’t already done so – catch up on our extensive back-series as there are some ripper yarns, incredibly brave and strong people, and many-a-story that are so typically Aussie in terms of resilience, innovation in times of crisis, and of course humour. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 1, 2025

To celebrate the recent release of Season 3 of the TV drama RFDS, we're re-visiting our Flying Doctor Podcast interview with renowned Australian actor, Stephen Peacocke - who plays flight nurse 'Pete Emerson' in the series. Stephen shares his memories of growing up in regional NSW, mustering cattle by motorbike on a remote station, becoming an actor, and - of course - his most recent work on the set of RFDS. He carried out his own research to prepare for the role, including talking with people who worked with the Flying Doctor Service and training with a nurse. ******** Thanks so much for listening to the Flying Doctor Podcast. It is lovely to have you along on the journey with us. There has been some wonderful feedback from listeners and those we have interviewed. Word of mouth is always the best promotion for a podcast – so if you enjoy this podcast, or a specific story, please share with family and friends. Reviews and ratings help our podcast to be found by others, so if you can take the time to do that it would be appreciated. You can also send feedback, questions or comments through to [email protected]. Please join the conversation at our Facebook Group called the Flying Doctor Podcast Community Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 24, 2025

In a remote community some 175 kilometers from Broken Hill, a band of local volunteers are cleaning up after a Christmas event, when young Leroy Henderson’s life is changed forever… +++ Thanks so much for listening to the Flying Doctor Podcast. It is lovely to have you along on the journey with us. There has been some wonderful feedback from listeners and those we have interviewed. Word of mouth is always the best promotion for a podcast – so if you enjoy this podcast, or a specific story, please share with family and friends. Reviews and ratings help our podcast to be found by others, so if you can take the time to do that it would be appreciated. You can also send feedback, questions or comments through to [email protected]. Please join the conversation at our Facebook Group called the Flying Doctor Podcast Community And if you haven’t already done so – catch up on our extensive back-series as there are some ripper yarns, incredibly brave and strong people, and many-a-story that are so typically Aussie in terms of resilience, innovation in times of crisis, and of course humour. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 17, 2025

They were in the middle of the remote Birdsville track. Sandy dunes and red desert stony plains...and steaming hot thermal springs. Nigel climbs out of the 4WD for a rest break and then hears a scream like he has never heard before… +++ Thanks so much for listening to the Flying Doctor Podcast. It is lovely to have you along on the journey with us. There has been some wonderful feedback from listeners and those we have interviewed. Word of mouth is always the best promotion for a podcast – so if you enjoy this podcast, or a specific story, please share with family and friends. Reviews and ratings help our podcast to be found by others, so if you can take the time to do that it would be appreciated. You can also send feedback, questions or comments through to [email protected]. Please join the conversation at our Facebook Group called the Flying Doctor Podcast Community Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 10, 2025

Opal miner, Richard Hawkins, lives in one of the harshest environments on the planet - Andamooka in remote South Australia. Though he knows well the protocols to prevent deadly dehydration in the extreme desert heat, Richard has learnt some lessons in recent years. **** We hope you enjoyed this special episode, which we’ve shared from our incredible archive of 140 Flying Doctor yarns! It is lovely to have you along on the journey with us and we look forward to bringing you an exciting new Series 15 of the Flying Doctor Podcast this September! There has been some wonderful feedback from listeners about our podcast and the incredible people we have interviewed. Word of mouth is always the best promotion for a podcast – so if you enjoy this podcast, or a specific story, please share with family and friends. Reviews and ratings help our podcast to be found by others, so if you can take the time to do that it would be appreciated. You can also send feedback, questions or story ideas through to [email protected]. We'd also love you to become part of the Flying Doctor Podcast Facebook group, where passionate listeners and incredible outback communities come together. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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