Kelsian renews partnership with Royal Flying Doctor Service

Wednesday 01 October 2025

With a continued mission to connect people and places, Kelsian Group has renewed its support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) as presenting partner of Oceans to Outback – a month long fitness challenge.

Now in its second year, the partnership reflects a shared commitment to improving the lives of communities across Australia, said Kelsian Group CEO Graeme Legh.

“The Royal Flying Doctor Service is one of Australia’s most trusted and iconic organisations, providing life-saving and life-changing care to people in remote, rural, and regional communities.

“We are proud to continue supporting Oceans to Outback, which raises essential funds for RFDS while also inspiring people to live healthier, more connected lives. We share similar values, as an Australian-owned company determined to better support local communities,” said Mr Legh.

The Oceans to Outback Challenge is a month-long fitness and fundraising event, where participants walk, run, or cycle during October to support the RFDS. In 2024, more than 20,000 Australians took part, raising over $4.3 million for the cause.

This year, the RFDS is aiming to reach new heights, with hopes of surpassing those achievements and building even stronger community support according to RFDS Federation Executive Director, Frank Quinlan.

“Every two minutes, someone relies on the Flying Doctor for care. Oceans to Outback is about more than fundraising. It’s about uniting people across the country to improve their own wellbeing while helping ensure the RFDS can continue providing vital health services - from emergency retrievals to GP clinics, dental, and mental health support,” he said.

Mr Legh added that there is a natural synergy between the iconic Kelsian operating regions and the communities the RFDS serves.

“For example, in Kingscote, South Australia, a destination on our network, nearly 250 patients relied on the RFDS in FY24-25, with 225 flights completed. Supporting RFDS means supporting the very communities our services reach every day.”

With nearly 9,000 employees across Transit Systems and SeaLink Marine & Tourism, Kelsian is once again encouraging its teams to get involved.

“We see this as an opportunity for our people to connect for a wellbeing challenge - across depots, on vessels, in offices, and in local communities across Australia and to take part in something that delivers genuine impact.

“Our goal is simple: to help the RFDS raise more funds than ever before, and to strengthen the communities we serve across land and water,” said Mr Legh.

How to get involved:

The 2025 Oceans to Outback Challenge kicks off on Wednesday, October 1.

Registrations are open now at Oceans to Outback, where you can sign up, track your progress, and contribute to the RFDS mission of delivering healthcare everywhere it’s needed.

About the Royal Flying Doctor Service

The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) provides essential primary health care and emergency services across the country, ensuring access to care in remote, rural and regional communities. Operating 24/7, the RFDS delivers critical aeromedical retrievals for the critically ill or injured and offers a broad range of primary and preventative services, including telehealth, mental health, oral health, and health promotion. Serving over 900 Australians each day, the RFDS is a vital lifeline, providing one of the most comprehensive healthcare services available.

RFDS Key Facts

• 345,000+ Australians receive care from the RFDS every year.
• 32,000+ aeromedical evacuations are carried out annually.
• 900 patient contacts every day, on average.
• 87 aircraft operate from 23 bases nationwide.
• 62 clinics are held daily, including GP, dental, and nurse services.
• 2,370 medical chests are located across remote, rural and regional communities, supported by 24/7 telehealth.
• More than 50% of RFDS services are primary health care including dental, vaccinations, and mental health support.
• The RFDS has been providing life-saving care to remote, rural and regional Australians for 97 years.
• Oceans to Outback is a month-long fitness and fundraising challenge where participants can sign up to get fit, raise funds and help the RFDS deliver life-saving care across Australia. Back for a fourth year, Oceans to Outback is aiming to have over 28,000 Aussies participate in the challenge and raise over $5M for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.