General News
19 February, 2024
Gil's flying doctors
Dr Brett Thompson took Dr Patrick Giltrap for a “long overdue” flight around Gilgandra.
Longtime friends, the pair had been looking for a chance to fly together, “but we’ve never quite had the time,” said Mr Thompson in an interview with The Gilgandra Weekly.
Dr Thompson has worked locally since the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) came to the medical centre in December 2022. Dr Giltrap has provided his services in the area for almost 40 years.
“We met up in the early morning and went for a spin around the Warrambungles. [The flight] was beautifully smooth, [and we had] beautiful visibility.”
Dr Thompson usually uses his plane to commute around NSW for work, often flying between towns in the Orana region and as far south as Canberra.
Dr Thompson had nothing but praise for his friend Dr Giltrap. “He’s a bit of a local hero… [Pat] has spent a lifetime in Gil doing good work. He’s been helping the community for 39 years this year.” The dedication of Dr Giltrap represents the spirit of a bygone era, according to Dr Thompson.
“Pat comes from a generation of doctors who come out to rural towns like saints and never leave. He has a real interest, a passion, for helping the local community. You just don’t see it nowadays.”
See full story in print edition.
