KTAFA × Royal Flying Doctor Service

In early 2020, the Royal Flying Doctor Service called for expressions of interest from South Australian or Northern Territorian Indigenous artists for a paid collaboration to create a bespoke design for a new range of staff apparel.

Kelly and T'keyah submitted their proposal: "It would be absolutely amazing to have an opportunity to create a special design recognising all the hard work from RFDS and team."

The mother and daughter, based in Ceduna and creating their pieces at home under the name Kelly and T'Keyah Aboriginal Fine Art, were selected — a partnership that reflected a connection between the Flying Doctor and its Antakirinja, Yankunytjatjara and Kokatha artists first forged 18 years earlier.

The artwork, titled Flight Journey Line, tells the story of the RFDS's ongoing presence in remote communities where crews provide emergency evacuations, primary health care, mental health care, oral health care and chronic disease management.

"The artwork shows a blue line tracing an aircraft's journey past waterholes, remote communities and towns along with showing tracks and trails of the RFDS's past, present and future," Kelly explains. "The footprints represent the RFDS specialist health care teams in different remote communities and towns, while blue dots represent the ocean and the earth colours represent the land."

Three generations have had a hand in the artwork's creation. Kelly credits her late grandmother, Millie Taylor (nee Lennon), as her greatest influence. "My Nana Millie was my teacher, she always encouraged me to paint and passed many ancient stories down along the way."

The original painting was hung at the RFDS Adelaide Base, with full-size prints displayed at all RFDS bases across SA/NT — including Port Augusta, Alice Springs and Darwin — as well as Remote Area Nurse clinics at Andamooka, Marla and Marree.

From the Adelaide Base to the most remote airstrips, the artwork served as a lasting visual commitment to cultural safety embedded throughout the service.

Mandy Smallacombe, RFDS Manager Primary Health Care, said the project was an important step towards deepening health clinicians' understanding about diverse and culturally-sensitive patient care. "Strengthening our relationships with First Nation leaders and community members by leading community consultation, communication and consent are valuable steps towards a collaborative and trusted partnership in improving health outcomes."