For the first time, Bill Marsh's terrific collection of outback yarns centred on the Royal Flying Doctor Service are available in one bumper volume. the Royal Flying Doctor Service is a unique icon of Australian culture. Since its beginnings with the Reverend John Flynn in 1928, the RFDS has helped build our nation. the Flying Doctors, and the remote stations and communities that they serve, have become enduring symbols of what it means to be Australian. the Complete Book of Australian Flying Doctor Stories is a fascinating, moving and often hilarious collection of true stories about the life in the Australian Outback. Hear of those whose very lives depend on the Royal Flying Doctor Service, like the man suffering from extreme burns who rode his motorbike eighteen kilometres back across his property to get help while opening and closing every gate along the way because you 'always leave gates as you find them'. Out here, stoicism and a sense of humour go hand in hand, as in the case of the stockman with a compound leg fracture who, when asked by the Flying Doctor if it hurt, replied, 'Oh, it itches a bit.'through fog, lightning, thunder, flooding rains and dust storms, the Flying Doctor braves the elements to get to the remote outback landing strips where they're needed ... and the tales they live to tell will have you shaking your head in amazement.

In the early 20th century, Reverend John Flynn saw the potential for aeroplanes to bring urgent medical care to people in outback Australia. He campaigned for more than ten years to make his big idea a reality. That big idea became the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Today the RFDS is a not-for-profit organisation that provides emergency and primary health care across Australia. From Ned Kelly to Nellie Melba; Captain Cook to Sidney Nolan, the Meet ... series of picture books tells the exciting stories of the men and women who have shaped Australia's history.

John Flynn is one of Australia's greatest folk heroes. His achievements are stuff of legend - no other Australian has had more monuments dedicated to him than John Flynn. Flynn established a network of cottage hospitals, flying doctors, patrol padres, welfare centres and radio transmitters to create a Mantle of Safety that would allow the Outback to be habitable for men, women and children.

--------------- NEW BEGINNINGS After her teenage daughter Mia falls in with the wrong crowd, Dr Billie Green decides it's time to return home to far western NSW. When an opportunity to join the Flying Doctor Service comes along, she jumps at the chance. Flight nurse Daphne Prince and their handsome new boss, Morgan Blake, instantly make her feel welcome. HOMESTEAD COMMUNITY Just out of town, grazier Soretta Byrnes has been struggling to make ends meet and has opened her homestead to boarders. Billie, Mia and Daphne decide to move in and are soon joined by eccentric eighty-year-old Lorna Lamerton. FRIENDSHIP AND TRIALS The unlikely housemates are soon offering each other frank advice and staunch support as they tackle medical emergencies, romantic adventures and the challenges of growing up and getting older. But when one of their lives is threatened, the strong friendship they have forged will face the ultimate test... --------------- PRAISE FOR FIONA MCARTHUR 'Like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket and sitting under the stars.' RACHAEL JOHNS 'I never miss one of Fiona McArthur's books.' SAM STILL READING 'An uplifting story of friendship and romance.' BOOK'D OUT 'Whenever I feel like journeying to the ochre and brown glory of the outback with its special brand of people, I know Fiona McArthur will take me there ...' BOOK MUSTER DOWN UNDER

"This story is about Dr Sue's first day at the Flying doctors."--Provided by publisher.

Originally published by The Australian Inland Mission; Sydney 1916. [Browne, Prior & Co.: Melbourne]. ARCHIVAL REPRINT: Limited Edition, illustrated, vellum acabado.