John Flynn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Flynn
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John Flynn, 1929
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John Flynn
25 November 1880 Moliagul, Victoria
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| Died | 5 May 1951 (aged 70) |
| Education | University High School |
| Occupation | |
| Organisation | Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia, Frontier Services and Presbyterian Inland Mission |
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| Spouse(s) | Jean Baird |
John Flynn OBE was an Australian minister. He helped people living in the remote parts of Australia. He started the Australian Inland Mission (AIM). This group helped people far away from towns. He also created the Royal Flying Doctor Service. This was the world's first air ambulance service. It brought doctors to people by plane. John Flynn was born on November 25, 1880, and passed away on May 5, 1951.
Contents
Early Life and Education
John Flynn went to primary schools in Snake Valley, Sunshine, and Braybrook. He finished high school at University High School in Melbourne. He was 18 years old at the time.
He could not afford to go to university right away. So, he became a student teacher. He also became very interested in photography and first aid. In 1903, he began training to become a minister. He worked in places like Beech Forest and Buchan. He also spent time helping shearers. In 1910, he published a book called Bushman's Companion.
Helping People in the Outback
John Flynn always thought about people in isolated communities. In September 1910, he published The Bushman's Companion. This book was given for free across inland Australia. He then became a missioner in Beltana, South Australia. This was a small town far north of Adelaide. He was officially made a minister in January 1911.
Starting the Australian Inland Mission
Flynn and other missioners visited many remote properties. They offered practical help and spiritual support. Flynn saw a chance to do something even bigger. In 1912, he wrote a report for his church. It talked about the challenges of helping people spread out so widely. Because of this, Flynn became the first leader of the Australian Inland Mission. This group later became Frontier Services.
Flynn wanted to create a "Mantle of Safety" for people in the Australian Outback. This meant making sure they were safe and cared for. Besides spiritual help, Flynn quickly saw the need for medical care. He set up several small hospitals in the bush.
The Royal Flying Doctor Service
By 1917, Flynn thought about using new technology. He imagined using radios and airplanes for medical help. He received a letter from an Australian pilot named Clifford Peel. This pilot was serving in World War I. Peel had heard Flynn's ideas. He wrote about how planes could be used and what they might cost.
Flynn published this information in his church's magazine. He then started raising money for a flying medical service. The very first flight of the Aerial Medical Service happened in 1928. It took off from Cloncurry, Queensland. Today, there is a museum in Cloncurry that remembers the start of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. It is called John Flynn Place.
Personal Life
Flynn married Jean Blanch Baird on May 7, 1932. Jean was the secretary of the Australian Inland Mission. They were married at a church in Ashfield, Sydney. John was 51 years old when he got married.
Later Life and Passing
John Flynn retired and passed away in Sydney on May 5, 1951. He was 70 years old. He was cremated, and his remains were placed under a large rock. This rock came from the Devils Marbles.
The rock was originally taken from a sacred site. After many years, it was returned to its original place in 1998. A new rock was chosen that was acceptable to the Aboriginal people. This new rock is now at his grave site. The land around his grave became a historical reserve in 1978. It is called the John Flynn's Grave Historical Reserve.
His wife, Jean, passed away on August 27, 1976, in Sydney.
Awards and Recognition
John Flynn was given an award in 1933. He was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.
Lasting Impact
The work of the Australian Inland Mission (AIM) continues today. It is carried on by Frontier Services and the Presbyterian Inland Mission. The Royal Flying Doctor Service still helps people in the Outback. It continues Flynn's idea of a "Mantle of Safety."
How He Is Remembered
John Flynn is shown on the back of the Australian twenty-dollar note.
Many places and things are named after him:
- The suburb of Flynn in Alice Springs.
- The suburb of Flynn in Canberra.
- The federal area of Flynn in Queensland. This area was created in 2006.
- Qantas plans to name one of its Airbus A380 planes after Flynn. This is to honor his help in aviation.
- The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine has a John Flynn Placement Program. This scholarship helps medical students learn about practicing medicine in the Outback.
- The John Flynn Memorial Uniting Church in Alice Springs was opened in 1956.
- The John Flynn Private Hospital is located on the Gold Coast, Queensland.
Books About John Flynn
Many books have been written about John Flynn:
- Ion Idriess wrote Flynn of the Inland in 1932.
- Barry Brown wrote John Flynn and the Flying Doctor Service in 1960.
- Allan Drummond wrote John Flynn in 2012.
- Rudolph Ivan wrote John Flynn of Flying Doctors and Frontier Faith in 1996.
- Brian C. Peachment wrote Aeroplanes or a Grave: The Story of John Flynn and the Flying Doctor Service.
- W. Scott McPheat wrote John Flynn - Apostle to the Inland in 1963.
- W. Scott McPheat wrote John Flynn : Vision of the Inland in 1976.
- Everald Compton wrote John Flynn : The man on the 20 dollar notes in 2016.
A memorial was built for him in 1952. It is located about 24 km north of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory of Australia. The land around the memorial became the John Flynn Historical Reserve in 1978.
See also
- Christianity in Australia
Images for kids
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Flynn's grave, near Alice Springs.
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John Flynn Memorial Church, Alice Springs, 2015
