Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) and IGA unveil Aeromedical Aircraft

This afternoon the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Central Operations unveiled its newly branded Independent Grocers of Australia (IGA) aeromedical aircraft in recognition of IGA’s new, three-year collaborative sponsorship of the life-saving service. The $7 million flying intensive care unit, VH-FVE (Foxtrot-Victor-Echo), is one of 75 RFDS aircraft spread across the country.
The event, which took place at the RFDS aeromedical base at Adelaide Airport was attended by Tony Vaughan ASM, CEO of RFDS Central Operations, Scott Marshall, CEO of Metcash Supermarkets & Convenience, and Zac Mina General Manager of Metcash Supermarkets & Convenience SA/NT.
Tony Vaughan says the significance of IGA’s financial support is that it will reach far and wide – and deliver lasting community benefit. “The RFDS conducts over 100 aeromedical flights across Australia every day – airlifts 25 South Australians and Territorians every day – but it relies on the support from the community to keep its crews in the sky,” Mr Vaughan says.
“Our association with locally-owned IGA stores stretches for decades, and it’s terrific to now have the company also supporting our work in this tangible manner. IGA’s sponsorship will directly support our capital-raising program for on-going upgrade of our fleet of medically-equipped aircraft that deliver emergency aeromedical services throughout South and Central Australia.”
IGA retailers are all about giving back to their local communities and RFDS has been awarded the most reputable charity brand in Australia for the last eight years. RFDS covers both metro, regional and remote locations in SA and NT, many of which are served also by IGA stores. The partnership works seamlessly with IGA’s values, which include giving back to the local community, even at a grass roots level.
As part of the partnership IGA helps facilitate the purchase of future RFDS aeromedical aircraft. There are also two IGA-badged full-sized aeromedical training simulators in SA and NT which are used by RFDS pilots for training and education.
Also, present was Joseph Romeo, Chairman of the IGA Board and National Retailers Council. “IGA is delighted to support the Royal Flying Doctor Service,” said Joseph.  “IGA stores sit at the heart of communities across Australia and you’ll probably find an IGA store in most of the remote and regional towns that the RFDS fly into day in and day out. This partnership is an alignment of two great brands that are committed to serving South Australians and Territorians and we are delighted to contribute towards keeping these life-saving crews in the air.”