Cairns Royal Flying Doctor Service former base manager Mike Lacey on 50-year anniversary

The iconic Royal Flying Doctor Service base in Cairns is celebrating its 50th birthday, with memories of lives saved, outback adventures and a croc attack. FIND OUT MORE

THE iconic Royal Flying Doctor Service base in Cairns is celebrating its 50th birthday, with memories of lives saved, outback adventures and a croc attack.

Mike Lacey, who was manager of the RFDS base in Cairns for 24 years, recalled the challenges of those early years and some of the most memorable cases.

He said he was confronted with a moment of shock when a woman fought off a crocodile on Cape York, after the man she was with had been attacked by the reptile.

Former RFDS base manager Mike Lacey of 24 years has recounted the difficult situation as the Cairns base celebrates 50 years.

“There was a crocodile attack in Lakefield National Park, a man was attacked and a lady fought the crocodile,” he said.

“It was near the ranger station, they called it in and said there was a crocodile attack and a man and woman were severely hurt.

“We responded by going there. We retrieved the patient brought her back to Cairns Hospital for hospitalisation.”

Former RFDS Cairns base manager Mike Lacey now 73 years old worked at RFDS from 1989 to 2017. Picture: Supplied

Mr Lacey said the work can be tricky sometimes when conditions are tough.

“They are certainly confronted with some very difficult situations, its compounded by having to fly,” he said.

“When they're flying and if the weather’s bad, they’re flying through a storm, or night time it makes it harder.”

But over the years technology has made the job easier.

“When I first started in 1989, the prime communication was by HF radio, by the time I left radio wasn’t being used, it was all done by satellite phone,” he said.

“When I first started, the pilots were using maps and compass for navigation. GPS hadn’t been invented.”

The Queen visiting the RFDS Cairns Base in 2002. Picture: Supplied

RFDS chief executive officer Meredith Staib said countless lives had been saved over the years.

“When the Cairns base first opened, there were eight staff - including two doctors, a pilot, a base director, two radio officers and two administration staff - and a Beechcraft twin engine Queen Air A80 aircraft,” she said.

“Today, our Cairns base is home to four aircraft and more than 100 staff.

“Last financial year alone, RFDS Cairns base teams transferred more than 1,100 patients, provided 18,698 primary health care consultations, including 2648 mental health consultations, and flew more than 1.2 million kilometres.”

Originally published as Cairns Royal Flying Doctor Service former base manager Mike Lacey on 50-year anniversary