The Australian Bi-Centennial Award
Established by the Guild as an ongoing commemoration of the Australian Bi-Centenary, is to recognise an outstanding individual contribution to Australian aviation.
Awarded to: BILL BRISTOW
Bill Bristow receives his award from Lord Stevens
Citation:
In a country the size of Australia, light aircraft are still the only effective means of reaching those people who live in the remote areas, a fact recognised in the 1920s with the founding of the Royal Flying Doctor Service to provide medical evacuation for seriously ill patients and to enable doctors to treat less critical patients in their areas where there were no medical services. Angel Flight extends this concept and fills a gap for the transport of people who are not critically ill whose access to medical facilities or need for other compassionate travel cannot be met by other means.
From stories told by his friends living in remote areas, and through his association with the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Bill Bristow was acutely aware of the extreme hardship experienced by rural communities and the potential risk placed on their health when living away from the major metropolitan centres. In 2003, Bill established Angel Flight as a not-for-profit operation to co-ordinate non-emergency flights for patients and families around Australia in medical and financial need. The operation is highly regarded and demonstrates a socially responsible use of light aircraft for charity work. Angel Flight services are entirely free to patients and carers.
Angel Flight pilots donate their time, their skills and the bulk of their aircraft costs for each flight. The volunteer pilots and aircraft owners’ flight credentials meet the requirements of CASA and the aircraft meet specified CASA and insurance minimums. The pilots do not carry aeromedical staff or medical equipment and do not act as an alternative to the Royal Flying Doctor Service or Air Ambulance in that capacity.
Since 2003 the number of volunteer pilots registered with Angel flight has increased from 88 to nearly 1,300 nationwide. Very soon 1,100 flights will have been completed, helping over 700 patients, carers and family members, receive non-emergency medical or humanitarian help. To date around 35% of flights have taken place from rural New South Wales, 30% Victoria, 25% Queensland, 5% South Australia, 3% Western Australia and 1% in Tasmania and Northern Territory.
For his outstanding individual contribution to Australian aviation, Bill Bristow is awarded the Australian Bi-Centennial Award.
The Award was presented at a ceremony in London last week, attended by more than 500 pilots from all over the world.
More details here: Trophies & Awards Banquet
Other awards here: Awards
Link: Guild of Air Pilots
Tudor Owen