Royal Far West provides a wide range of essential specialist health services to meet the needs of country children and their families.
Demand is increasing and Royal Far West is committed to enhancing our services and reaching more country kids, especially in the important areas of mental health, oral health and early intervention.
Royal Far West works in partnership with rural health professionals, other healthcare providers and specialist centres such as children’s hospitals. We also offer a respite program for country children with special needs.
Country children from rural and remote NSW are treated by Royal Far West for a diverse range of complex medical conditions.
These conditions are not life threatening however, without the appropriate treatment they are life altering and limit a child’s potential. Services which they can only access through Royal Far West, have a positive impact on these children’s health and wellbeing.
Kids are our future. They deserve access to specialist health services regardless of where they live.
Royal Far West is a not-for-profit organisation that receives some government support, however we depend on the generosity of individuals, corporations and community groups to help us care for country kids.
For further information please visit How can I help.
Royal Far West Children’s Health Scheme was founded in 1924 by Reverend Stanley Drummond.
He had been convalescing at Manly, following surgery to remove his gall bladder, and he thought how wonderful it would be if he could give children from far western NSW the opportunity to have respite from the harsh conditions and enjoy the holiday of a lifetime by the sea.
In the summer of 1925, 58 children from Bourke, Brewarrina and Wilcannia, accompanied by half a dozen mothers, together with Stanley and Lucy Drummond participated in the first camp – they were originally meant to stay at Manly but ended up in Cronulla.
In 1926, the camp was held in Manly, next door to the private hospital of Dr Montcrieff Barron.
It became apparent that a considerable number of children required some medical attention so Dr Moncrieff Barron began providing his services in an honorary capacity. This marked the organisations evolution from ‘holiday camp’ to ‘health care provider’.
In 1931, Drummond, with the support of the Commissioner for Railways, commenced the state’s first baby health clinic. Specially fitted out railway cars visited remote locations such as Bourke, Brewarrina, and Byrock where the clinic sisters checked and weighed the babies and gave the mothers advice about their care.
Sid Coleman from Bourke trained as a pilot and had bought an aeroplane for hire and it was arranged for the clinic sister to fly to the more remote centres.
In 1935, Nancy-Bird Walton, AO OBE DstJ, was recruited by Stanley Drummond to fly the clinic sisters to the stations and settlements west of Bourke. She maintained a strong commitment to Royal Far West until her death in 2009. Also in 1935 a travelling dental clinic was established and the Drummond Far West Home was officially opened.
Stanley Drummond passed away in 1943 at the age of 58.
The Scheme continued to expand and on April 24, 1959, “Far West Children’s Health Scheme” was incorporated.
In 1970, following a visit by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Anne, the Scheme was officially given the title of “Royal” in recognition of its services to country children.
In 2008 the organisation changed its name to Royal Far West and in February 2009 launched its bright, emotive and powerful brand.
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