Agricultural Contractors of Tasmania donate $2000 to Royal Flying Doctor Service Tasmania

A small handbook produced each year by Agricultural Contractors of Tasmania Inc not only helps guide farmers financially, but it’s influencing health outcomes.

Income from advertising sold in the handbook funds the printing of 3000 copies which are distributed through rural and machinery supply businesses and this year leftover money has been donated to Royal Flying Doctor Service Tasmania to help fund its rural outreach services.

The Association was set up nearly 50 years ago and when former Latrobe Mayor and ACTI Life Member Bert Campbell, a passionate advocate for Tasmania's agricultural industry and the opportunities it creates for young people, passed away in 2003, the R. W. (Bert) Campbell Memorial Award was established to support charities that helped rural people.

Listed in the handbook are its 70 or so members and suggested rates for contractor work from drilling to hay baling to harvesting, providing a handy guide that comes out mid-October to help farmers work out their budgets and know who is available.

Farming contractor and ACTI president Peter Campbell, Bert’s son, was proud to present $2000 to the RFDS recently..

Peter owns his own 40ha farm, Sunnyside, at Railton, and he knows all too well how valuable the RFDS can be.

In 2025, Peter relied on RFDS services after suffering a heart attack that resulted in open-heart surgery. What began as a sore shoulder quickly became a serious medical emergency.

"I thought I'd slept wrong when I woke up with a sore shoulder. Then I had some discomfort in the centre of my chest. But I didn't feel sick at all," Peter said.

"When they took my blood pressure, it was 200 over something and the doctor was telling me, 'don't drive the car, don't do this, don't do that.'"

Twelve months later, Peter returned to working in the fields, while continuing regular trips to Launceston for cardiac rehabilitation.

His experience is far from unique. Several ACTI members and their family members have also accessed RFDS healthcare services, highlighting the importance of accessible healthcare for people living and working beyond major population centres.

Peter said ACTI hoped the donation would help ensure farming families could continue receiving healthcare close to home.

The funding will support RFDS Tasmania's primary healthcare programs, including dental outreach services, youth and adult mental health support, chronic disease management and physical health programs designed to improve wellbeing and help people manage ongoing health conditions.

Services such as cardiac rehabilitation and chronic disease support can play a crucial role in helping people recover from major health events, maintain their independence and continue contributing to their communities.

RFDS Tasmania CEO Nicole Henty said the donation would help ensure rural people can access the care they need, regardless of where they live.

"We know that good health is essential to thriving rural communities. This generous donation will help us continue delivering healthcare services that support people to stay healthy, active and connected to the communities they call home," Ms Henty said.

ACTI has represented Tasmania's agricultural contractors for generations, promoting professionalism, high standards of service and strong ethical practices across the sector. Its connection to rural communities makes supporting health outcomes a natural fit.

"It's a wonderful example of rural communities supporting one another and helping ensure that people can access quality healthcare when and where they need it most," Ms Henty said.

"The ACTI is helping strengthen the health and wellbeing of Tasmania's farming communities and ensuring that vital healthcare services remain accessible for rural families now and into the future.”