That’s why each Ryman village is named after an Aussie or Kiwi trailblazer. Charles Brownlow, Weary Dunlop, Deborah Cheetham to name a few. They lived with passion and purpose, they pushed further, they went beyond the ordinary. That’s exactly what we strive to do every day at Ryman. To pioneer a new way of living, for a new retirement generation.

John Flynn (1880-1951)

Founder of Australia’s The Royal Flying Doctor Service – the world’s first air ambulance, John Flynn dedicated his career to the needs of those in isolated communities.

While tending to spiritual matters in the outback, John quickly established the need for medical care for isolated Australians. His overarching vision was to establish a ‘Mantle of Safety’ for residents of the outback which included the establishment of several bush hospitals. With commitment, determination, and passion, John achieved his vision and significantly impacted the lives of Australians living in the outback.

By 1917, John was considering the possibility of radio or air support for outback residents with acute medical needs. An Australian pilot serving in WWI, Clifford Peel, heard John’s speculations and wrote him a letter outlining the capabilities and costs of possible aircraft solutions. John published these details in his church’s magazine to support his relentless fund-raising efforts, which led to the establishment of a flying medical service.

John’s legacy lives on as The Royal Flying Doctor Service continues to deliver his ‘Mantle of Safety’ to Australia’s outback residents. An Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE), John‘s commitment has been recognised in many ways. His image can be seen on the Australian twenty-dollar note and his name has been adopted in commemoration several times over.

Among the many books written about John, W.Scott McPheat wrote John Flynn – Apostle to the Inland in 1963 and John Flynn: Vision of the Inland in 1976.