Biography - The Life of John Flynn
John Flynn, the second son of schoolteacher Thomas Eugene Flynn, was born in the town of Moliagul in Victoria on the 25th of November in the year 1880. Unfortunately his mother died when he was at the age of two in the year 1882 from childbirth, leaving his father to raise him. He went through primary school and secondary school. During this time John and his other sibling’s attended bible classes due to his father's influence. This influenced his belief system and was the starting point for the man that he would become, with a passion for helping other people. During this time John also developed an interest in the outback and the lifestyle that came with it through his father relaying stories about the bush to him and his siblings.
Unfortunately in 1898, after graduating from secondary school, a lack of funds resulted in John not being able to afford to take part in a university course, he then made the decision to become a school teacher. He did this through the Victorian Education Department as it was cheaper than University. However, soon Flynn decided to become a Presbyterian minister. Flynn started his training for ministry in the year 1903; he did this through a course for student lay pastors. During this time John based his work (which was really serving) in the bush within the pioneering districts of beech forest and Buchan, without being actually qualified as a minister he would preach the gospel. He did this through relying on what he had learnt as a child through his father and regular bible classes, but most importantly he preached through his instinct. When Flynn was 29 in the year 1909 he worked as a missionary, setting up a hostel in Beltana in northern South Australia. Flynn saw many gaps in the outback life particulary in the areas of material, medical, social and religious resources. Due to this Flynn created a book of hints for people living in the outback, which was called "The Bushman's Companion". This book was completed and published in September 1910. It contained Bible readings, hymns, prayers, a funeral service, first aid information, and practical advice e.g. postal information, a calendar and how to make a will.
Unfortunately in 1898, after graduating from secondary school, a lack of funds resulted in John not being able to afford to take part in a university course, he then made the decision to become a school teacher. He did this through the Victorian Education Department as it was cheaper than University. However, soon Flynn decided to become a Presbyterian minister. Flynn started his training for ministry in the year 1903; he did this through a course for student lay pastors. During this time John based his work (which was really serving) in the bush within the pioneering districts of beech forest and Buchan, without being actually qualified as a minister he would preach the gospel. He did this through relying on what he had learnt as a child through his father and regular bible classes, but most importantly he preached through his instinct. When Flynn was 29 in the year 1909 he worked as a missionary, setting up a hostel in Beltana in northern South Australia. Flynn saw many gaps in the outback life particulary in the areas of material, medical, social and religious resources. Due to this Flynn created a book of hints for people living in the outback, which was called "The Bushman's Companion". This book was completed and published in September 1910. It contained Bible readings, hymns, prayers, a funeral service, first aid information, and practical advice e.g. postal information, a calendar and how to make a will.
Original copy of the book
The Bushman's Companion. 2013. The Bushman's Companion. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.pim.org.au/cent_companion.htm. [Accessed 22 July 2013].
Later in 1911 Flynn was finally ordained as a Minister of the Presbyterian Church through study at the university of Melbourne. Flynn then decided to travel around the outback, through meeting people and seeing the hard lifestyle the people faced such as living a long distance from shops to buy every day life needs such as food. Most significantly Flynn saw it was a long distance from hospitals or access to doctors.
John Flynn in 1912 wrote a report on life in the northern territory and life in rural areas in general. This was presented to the Presbyterian Church and prompted the General Assembly to listen to his suggestions. This lead to Flynn creating a program, which he led, called the Australian Inland Mission. This mission was involved in setting up 15 hospitals. Flynn’s words to his mission members was “go out and listen to people” this way the mission was able to make the most of their time by just focusing on what the people of the outback really needed.
John Flynn in 1912 wrote a report on life in the northern territory and life in rural areas in general. This was presented to the Presbyterian Church and prompted the General Assembly to listen to his suggestions. This lead to Flynn creating a program, which he led, called the Australian Inland Mission. This mission was involved in setting up 15 hospitals. Flynn’s words to his mission members was “go out and listen to people” this way the mission was able to make the most of their time by just focusing on what the people of the outback really needed.
Fitzroy Crossing Australian Inland Mission Hospital
State Library of Western Australia (2013) 068548PD: Fitzroy Crossing Australian Inland Mission hospital. Sister Wells, Bill Smidt, blacksmith, Gogo Station, Ted Millard (manager of Gogo Station), Sister Hall, Bill Mac (first patient who died - gangrene of leg), 1940 [ONLINE] Available at: http://purl.slwa.wa.gov.au/slwa_b2367915_7. [Accessed 22 July 2013].
In 1913 Flynn started up a magazine called "The Islander", this came from his desire to have a "brighter bush". The purpose of the magazine was to raise awareness for the needs of the people living in rural areas. This was done through displaying photos that Flynn had taken, maps of the rural areas (showing the isolation), statistics and articles that explained what had to be done and what issues occurred through living in rural areas.
Flynn’s motivation came from observing what life was like for people in the outback. There was one young man that motivated Flynn to keep on proceeding in bringing medical help to the remote regions, in the year 1917. The man was named Jimmy Darcy who lived on a property in Western Australia. This property was about 5000 kilometres to a doctor and Jimmy was unfortunately seriously injured when he fell off his horse. Morse code notified a doctor, it took 13 days for the doctor to arrive by the transportation of a boat, car, horse and foot, however Jimmy had died 3 days before he arrived. The needs of the people in the outback was not just distant knowledge for Flynn, they were real experiences of loss and limitations. This made Flynn tackle the problems with determination and passion, meeting the problems of living remotely in a practical and successful manner.
During World War One Flynn decided that the rural citizens of the outback needed a higher quality of transport and communication in order to live a safer life. During this time the airplanes were flying longer distances and Flynn realized that these machines could fly nurses and doctors to rural areas. However to do this Flynn needed funds and the government said they could not provide this. This did not stop Flynn’s idea or motivation. He travelled to each capital city as a way to collect funds from the general public and also as a way to raise awareness.
In the year 1925 Flynn declared, "the practicality of the flying doctor proposal depends almost entirely on the widespread adoption of wireless by bush residents' to provide the link between doctor and patient." This showed that new technology needed to be used in order for the safety of citizens of the outback.
The hostel that Flynn had helped develop in South Australia advanced into 10 different centres around the area by Flynn in the year 1926. Farmers and people living in the bush were provided with books and magazines, medical treatment for basic illness and injury, and the repair of needed items such as clocks.
Flynn’s motivation came from observing what life was like for people in the outback. There was one young man that motivated Flynn to keep on proceeding in bringing medical help to the remote regions, in the year 1917. The man was named Jimmy Darcy who lived on a property in Western Australia. This property was about 5000 kilometres to a doctor and Jimmy was unfortunately seriously injured when he fell off his horse. Morse code notified a doctor, it took 13 days for the doctor to arrive by the transportation of a boat, car, horse and foot, however Jimmy had died 3 days before he arrived. The needs of the people in the outback was not just distant knowledge for Flynn, they were real experiences of loss and limitations. This made Flynn tackle the problems with determination and passion, meeting the problems of living remotely in a practical and successful manner.
During World War One Flynn decided that the rural citizens of the outback needed a higher quality of transport and communication in order to live a safer life. During this time the airplanes were flying longer distances and Flynn realized that these machines could fly nurses and doctors to rural areas. However to do this Flynn needed funds and the government said they could not provide this. This did not stop Flynn’s idea or motivation. He travelled to each capital city as a way to collect funds from the general public and also as a way to raise awareness.
In the year 1925 Flynn declared, "the practicality of the flying doctor proposal depends almost entirely on the widespread adoption of wireless by bush residents' to provide the link between doctor and patient." This showed that new technology needed to be used in order for the safety of citizens of the outback.
The hostel that Flynn had helped develop in South Australia advanced into 10 different centres around the area by Flynn in the year 1926. Farmers and people living in the bush were provided with books and magazines, medical treatment for basic illness and injury, and the repair of needed items such as clocks.
John Flynn (left), with Sister Kinnear, Elsie Coultas, and the Reverend J. Armour at Beltana.
State Library of South Australia. 2013. Health Medical Services and Beltana Mission. [ONLINE] Available at: http://history.flindersranges.com.au/how-people-lived/health-medical-services-and-beltana-mission. [Accessed 23 July 2013].
On The 17th of May in the year 1928, Flynn’s idea became a reality. An airplane leased from Qantas flew doctors and nurses to the outback. Within this first year 255 patients were seen for medical attention and 32 000 kilometres were flown. However for the service to be able to survive the federal government had to support it. Flynn saw it as his duty to make this happen. Due to this he would regularly meet with members of the parliament trying to gain financial support. In need for further assistance he did the same with the Presbyterian Church.
The First plane for the Flying Doctor
The John Flynn Story | Royal Flying Doctor Service . 2013. The John Flynn Story Royal Flying Doctor Service . [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.flyingdoctor.org.au/About-Us/Our-History/The-John-Flynn-Story/. [Accessed 19 July 2013].
New technology was developed with the help of Flynn in 1929; this was the radio receiver, otherwise known as the Pedal radio. This meant that people living in isolation were able to call on the Flying Doctor to assist them in an emergency, which meant that more lives could be saved. This new invention also led to School of the Air, where people in the outback can gain an education through the radio, which otherwise they would not be able to do.
In the year 1932 on the 7th of May the 51-year-old John Flynn married Jean Blanch Baird in Sydney. Jean was Flynn's hard working determined secretary who then became his wife.
Flynn’s amazing efforts were being seen in his works in helping the lifestyle for people in the rural reigns of Australia and in the year 1933 he was granted Officer of the Order of the British Empire. Finally in 1934 Flynn had finally convinced the government to support the Aerial Medical Service and it was now officially established.
In the year 1939 Flynn's hard work was acknowledged and admired upon and he was seen as a role model for society. Flynn was chosen as moderator-general of the Presbyterian Church of Australia.
In 1942 Flynn's Aerial Medical Service name was changed to The Flying Doctor Service of Australia. Then in the year 1955 it was more frequently referred to how it is known across the country today being the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia. It is proudly the first and largest aero-medical service across the globe!
Flynn unfortunately died in 1951 on the 5th of May, at the age of 71 from cancer. His wife had his ashes buried near Alice Springs (in the Northern Territory) at the foot of Mt Gillen by his request. In 1956 the John Flynn Memorial Church was opened in Alice Springs. He has had more memorials dedicated to him than any other Australian.But his legacy is more than memorials, it is the continuing activity of The Royal Flying Doctor Service and the varied use of radio in remote areas, not only for medical purposes but also for educational and social connection.
Flynn’s amazing efforts were being seen in his works in helping the lifestyle for people in the rural reigns of Australia and in the year 1933 he was granted Officer of the Order of the British Empire. Finally in 1934 Flynn had finally convinced the government to support the Aerial Medical Service and it was now officially established.
In the year 1939 Flynn's hard work was acknowledged and admired upon and he was seen as a role model for society. Flynn was chosen as moderator-general of the Presbyterian Church of Australia.
In 1942 Flynn's Aerial Medical Service name was changed to The Flying Doctor Service of Australia. Then in the year 1955 it was more frequently referred to how it is known across the country today being the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia. It is proudly the first and largest aero-medical service across the globe!
Flynn unfortunately died in 1951 on the 5th of May, at the age of 71 from cancer. His wife had his ashes buried near Alice Springs (in the Northern Territory) at the foot of Mt Gillen by his request. In 1956 the John Flynn Memorial Church was opened in Alice Springs. He has had more memorials dedicated to him than any other Australian.But his legacy is more than memorials, it is the continuing activity of The Royal Flying Doctor Service and the varied use of radio in remote areas, not only for medical purposes but also for educational and social connection.
Memorial and the ashes of John Flynn in the Northern Territory
John Flynn's Grave Historical Reserve - Flynn Trail - heritage tour in Alice Springs. 2013. John Flynn's Grave [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.flynntrail.org.au/orgs/flynnsgrave.html. [Accessed 20 July 2013].