Ergon customers help the RFDS take flight

Published Sunday, 11 May, 2014 at 12:00 PM

Minister for Energy and Water Supply
The Honourable Mark McArdle

Ergon Energy’s customers and staff have effectively purchased a new plane for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) and now they have the chance to name it.

Energy Minister Mark McArdle said the voluntary contributions of Ergon customers through their quarterly accounts, together with payroll deductions by staff, to the RFDS (Queensland Section) now total $8 million.

“This is equivalent to the cost of a new plane,” Mr McArdle said.

“The new plane will be added to its fleet in Mt Isa and the RFDS will recognise the milestone by inviting Ergon customers who contribute through their power bills to come up with a name for this aircraft.

“The customer who suggests the chosen name will be a special guest at the official naming ceremony for the plane in Townsville in September.”

Mr McArdle said the voluntary donation scheme had been running for almost 14 years and more than 100,000 regional Queensland customers now contributed.

“Ergon customers have maintained an extraordinary level of generosity, which results in about $800,000 being raised each year,” he said.

“Ergon is committed to its community partnership with the RFDS to provide an easy way for customers to show their support, which plays an important role in keeping the Flying Doctor flying.”

Through the scheme, customers can contribute via regular donations through their quarterly bill, or make larger one-off donations if they wish, to enable the RFDS to continue providing vital medical services to remote communities across Australia.

“Because Ergon customers live in regional and rural Queensland, they no doubt realise their ongoing support for the RFDS is also about ensuring vital services are maintained in remote and regional parts of our state – much like the role of Ergon in providing essential power services.”

For further details about the competition, or to submit an entry, go to the Ergon website at https://www.ergon.com.au/about-us/community-partnerships/royal-flying-doctor-service/rfsd-name-the-plane-competition.

 

[ENDS] 11 May 2014

Media Contact: Phil Hind 0437 334 183