Royal Flying Doctor Service, 1949-1991

Component identifier:

Series 2

Content Summary:

Papers relating to Dawson's employment as a medical officer with the Royal Flying Doctor Service at Charleville during 1954-1957. Of particular interest are carbon copies of trip records for cases attended by Dawson from July 1955 to August 1956 and an appointment diary for 1956. These records include patient names and diagnoses and are held under closed access for 75 years from their date of creation. Related to the diary are notes written in around 1957 recounting incidents and impressions which were later to form the basis of his memoir Skydoctor.

The series also includes memorabilia such as tickets to balls, invitations, and printed material including a booklet describing the contents of the 1956 RFDS medical chest, Charleville Hospital Board annual report (1954-1955), RFDS (Queensland Section) annual reports (1952-1956) and newspaper articles containing pictures of and references to Dawson and others involved in the RFDS. There are also some more personal papers dating from this time including letters home to his parents, a letter relating to his separation from his wife and Australian Inland Mission and RFDS Christmas cards. Correspondents include Allan Vickers and James Cameron.

Immediate source of acquisition:

The papers were donated to the Library in three instalments in 1993 and 1995. The 1995 instalments were donated under the Taxation Incentives for the Arts Scheme.

Names:

Dawson, Len, 1929-

Contents

Access and use