With a continued mission to connect people and places, Kelsian Group has renewed its support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) as presenting partner of Oceans to Outback – a month long fitness challenge.
Now in its second year, the partnership reflects a shared commitment to improving the lives of communities across Australia, said Kelsian Group CEO Graeme Legh.
“The Royal Flying Doctor Service is one of Australia’s most trusted and iconic organisations, providing life-saving and life-changing care to people in remote, rural, and regional communities.
“We are proud to continue supporting Oceans to Outback, which raises essential funds for RFDS while also inspiring people to live healthier, more connected lives. We share similar values, as an Australian-owned company determined to better support local communities,” said Mr Legh.
The Oceans to Outback Challenge is a month-long fitness and fundraising event, where participants walk, run, or cycle during October to support the RFDS. In 2024, more than 20,000 Australians took part, raising over $4.3 million for the cause.
This year, the RFDS is aiming to reach new heights, with hopes of surpassing those achievements and building even stronger community support according to RFDS Federation Executive Director, Frank Quinlan.
“Every two minutes, someone relies on the Flying Doctor for care. Oceans to Outback is about more than fundraising. It’s about uniting people across the country to improve their own wellbeing while helping ensure the RFDS can continue providing vital health services – from emergency retrievals to GP clinics, dental, and mental health support,” he said.
Mr Legh added that there is a natural synergy between the iconic Kelsian operating regions and the communities the RFDS serves.
“For example, in Kingscote, South Australia, a destination on our network, nearly 250 patients relied on the RFDS in FY24-25, with 225 flights completed. Supporting RFDS means supporting the very communities our services reach every day.”
With nearly 10,000 employees across Transit Systems and SeaLink Marine & Tourism, Kelsian is once again encouraging its teams to get involved.
“We see this as an opportunity for our people to connect for a wellbeing challenge – across depots, on vessels, in offices, and in local communities across Australia and to take part in something that delivers genuine impact.
“Our goal is simple: to help the RFDS raise more funds than ever before, and to strengthen the communities we serve across land and water,” said Mr Legh.
The 2025 Oceans to Outback Challenge kicks off on Wednesday, October 1. Registrations are open now at oceanstooutback.org.au, where participants can sign up, track their progress, and contribute to the RFDS mission of delivering healthcare everywhere it’s needed.
