A Flying Doctor Service plane in action.
http://www.taamuseum.org.au/MuseumFront/Museum_6.html
http://www.taamuseum.org.au/MuseumFront/Museum_6.html
Biographical Details
![Picture](/uploads/1/1/1/9/11199795/5843943.jpg)
John Flynn was born on the 25th November, 1880, at Moliagul, central Victoria, 45km west of Bendigo. He was the second son and third child, of Thomas Eugene Flynn, a schoolteacher, and Rosetta Forsyth, who died in childbirth. He was educated at Snake Valley, Sunshine
Primary School, and Braybrook Primary School.
Flynn’s father was very religious, and he and his siblings often attended bible classes during their childhood. His first ambition was to become a church minister. Flynn also became very interested in the outback, after hearing many stories from his father.
Later, when Flynn was 18, he went to University High School, Carlton. As he could not afford the tuition fees for a university course, he studied at the Theological Hall in Melbourne. He
began his career as a pupil teacher with the Victorian Education Department. Later, he decided to become a Presbyterian minister. At this point of time, Flynn also developed
interests in photography and first-aid.
Primary School, and Braybrook Primary School.
Flynn’s father was very religious, and he and his siblings often attended bible classes during their childhood. His first ambition was to become a church minister. Flynn also became very interested in the outback, after hearing many stories from his father.
Later, when Flynn was 18, he went to University High School, Carlton. As he could not afford the tuition fees for a university course, he studied at the Theological Hall in Melbourne. He
began his career as a pupil teacher with the Victorian Education Department. Later, he decided to become a Presbyterian minister. At this point of time, Flynn also developed
interests in photography and first-aid.
John Flynn. http://www.flyingdoctor.org.au/About-Us/Our-History/The-John-Flynn-Story/
Flynn travelled to the outback, and worked as a lay preacher, someone who is not ordained (to become formally qualified as a church minister), but is appointed to lead Church services and spread the teachings of Christ.
Flynn studied at the University of Melbourne, and became a Presbyterian minister on 24th January, 1911.In the same year, he volunteered for an appointment to the Smith of Dunesk in the Northern Flinders Ranges of South Australia. During his work, Flynn witnessed first-hand how challenging it was to live in the outback, and being isolated from other people and basic day-to-day things, such as shops and hospitals.
In 1912, Flynn was appointed the founder and superintendent of the Australian Inland Mission of the Presbyterian Church of Australia, a position which he held his whole life.
On the 17th May, 1928, the first plane leased by QANTAS to the Aerial Medical Service, had its first successful flight, and Flynn’s dream became a reality.
Flynn studied at the University of Melbourne, and became a Presbyterian minister on 24th January, 1911.In the same year, he volunteered for an appointment to the Smith of Dunesk in the Northern Flinders Ranges of South Australia. During his work, Flynn witnessed first-hand how challenging it was to live in the outback, and being isolated from other people and basic day-to-day things, such as shops and hospitals.
In 1912, Flynn was appointed the founder and superintendent of the Australian Inland Mission of the Presbyterian Church of Australia, a position which he held his whole life.
On the 17th May, 1928, the first plane leased by QANTAS to the Aerial Medical Service, had its first successful flight, and Flynn’s dream became a reality.
By 1929, Flynn, worked with Alfred Traeger, who created the pedal powered radio, and used this to communicate between the doctor and the patient.
John Flynn married Jean Blanch Baird at the age of 51, on 7th May, 1932. She was the secretary of the Flying Doctor Service, and helped Flynn to achieve his goal of helping those living in remote Australian areas. They did not have any children.
In June 1933, Flynn was appointed an officer of the Order of the British Empire, for the efforts and contributions he made in order to improve the lives of those living in the outback. By 1934, the government began funding the Aerial Medical Service, and it was officially established. In 1936, an Australian film was created:’ The Flying Doctor’, and was screened in Sydney in September, which created much interest in many Australians, and this drew many donations. In 1939, he was elected as the Moderator-General of the Presbyterian Church of Australia, which was a position to be held for a three year term.
John Flynn, survived by his wife, passed away in Sydney on 5th May, 1951, at the age of 71, from cancer. His ashes are buried at the foot of Mt Gillen, Alice Springs. His burial service, on the 23rd May, 1951, was joined up to the Flying Doctor network, and was heard at all the radio stations and by all the people living in the outback. In 1976, his wife’s ashes were placed beside Flynn’s.
John Flynn married Jean Blanch Baird at the age of 51, on 7th May, 1932. She was the secretary of the Flying Doctor Service, and helped Flynn to achieve his goal of helping those living in remote Australian areas. They did not have any children.
In June 1933, Flynn was appointed an officer of the Order of the British Empire, for the efforts and contributions he made in order to improve the lives of those living in the outback. By 1934, the government began funding the Aerial Medical Service, and it was officially established. In 1936, an Australian film was created:’ The Flying Doctor’, and was screened in Sydney in September, which created much interest in many Australians, and this drew many donations. In 1939, he was elected as the Moderator-General of the Presbyterian Church of Australia, which was a position to be held for a three year term.
John Flynn, survived by his wife, passed away in Sydney on 5th May, 1951, at the age of 71, from cancer. His ashes are buried at the foot of Mt Gillen, Alice Springs. His burial service, on the 23rd May, 1951, was joined up to the Flying Doctor network, and was heard at all the radio stations and by all the people living in the outback. In 1976, his wife’s ashes were placed beside Flynn’s.
In 1956, the Flynn Memorial Church dedicated to him opened in Alice Springs. Flynn has the most memorials dedicated him, than any other Australian heroes.
At John Flynn’s burial service, a senior church minister, Kingsley Partridge, stated, “He spread a mantle of safety over Inland Australia by aviation, radio and medicine and brought spiritual comfort, gladness and rejoicing. Across the lonely places of the land he planted kindness, and from the hearts of those who call those places home, he gathered love.”
At John Flynn’s burial service, a senior church minister, Kingsley Partridge, stated, “He spread a mantle of safety over Inland Australia by aviation, radio and medicine and brought spiritual comfort, gladness and rejoicing. Across the lonely places of the land he planted kindness, and from the hearts of those who call those places home, he gathered love.”