Community
16 September, 2024
Tonka puts his hand up to be an RFDS Ambassador
The community champion will be the face of the Flying Doctor's Lighting the Way program.
Tonka Toholke is leading the charge to improve men’s mental health in the North West after being announced as the latest Royal Flying Doctor Service’s Lighting the Way ambassador at the weekend.
Speaking amid the glitz and glamour of the RFDS Mount Isa Hangar Ball on Saturday night, Tonka said he’s keen to work closely with the flying doctors to improve access to mental health services across the north-west.
“There’s a real need to do more for more and I know the RFDS is as committed in this space as myself and my wife Ranita are,” Tonka said.
“I’ve been passionate about this cause for many years and it’s important men across the region understand the most important thing we can do as a community is give our time.
“It’s this time that gets cut through with men, one on one, face to face and I can’t stress enough that there’s a real need for it and that need is sadly growing.”
“I look forward to working closely with the RFDS Queensland in my role as a Lighting the Way Ambassador and making a difference in the lives of men across the North West.
With the program only launched this year, Tonka is the 15th RFDS Lighting the Way Ambassador across Australia, with each ambassador committed to sharing their time, expertise, and public profile to form an important link between the work done by the RFDS and local community organisations.
Other ambassadors announced this year include Dan “Outback Dan” Walker at Longreach, who operates Camden Park Tours, and Simpson Desert National Park Ranger Don Rowlands at Birdsville.