1880 - 1951
The
Reverend John Flynn founded the
Royal Flying Doctor Service, which
Menzies described as the "greatest single contribution to the effective settlement [of
Australia]"
John Flynn studied in
Melbourne and was ordained as a Presbytarian
Minister in
1911. In 1912 he was working on a mission in
outback NT, where he became friends with
Huson Fysh (who later founded
QANTAS). Inspired by the use of radio and airplanes during
WWI, Flynn conceived of and created the world's first flying doctor service in
1928.
Flynn is also credited for the popularity of the
pedal powered radio, which revolutionised
bush life.
John Flynn liked fixing things, particularly
watches and
clocks. He would drive into town in his
ute, carrying all the tools he could need. Flynn always smoked a
pipe and wore a suit, but bush people say they knew he wasn't
a city person from his smell.
When
plastic bank notes were introduced in Australia, Flynn replaced fellow aviator
Kingsford Smith on the
20 dollar note.