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Notes to Editors: About Amanda Vanstone Born in Adelaide, Vanstone entered Federal Parliament in 1984 as a Senator for South Australia. At that time she was the youngest member of the Senate. She was re-elected in 1987, 1993, 1998 and 2004. She served as a Minister in the Australian Government from the 1996 election until January 2007. Except for a period of just over three years as Minister for Justice /Customs, all her Ministerial positions were in Cabinet. She is the longest serving female Cabinet Minister since Federation. In 2007 she was appointed as Australian Ambassador to Italy and to San Marino. Prior to entering Parliament, Ms Vanstone worked as a legal practitioner. She was educated at the University of Adelaide, where she completed both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Law degrees. Mrs Vanstone is a Board member of the Port Adelaide Football Club and is a regular presenter on the ABC Radio National program, Counterpoint. Amanda also writes a fortnightly column for The Age. Mrs Vanstone is currently a Patron of The Hutt Street Centre and The Salvation Army Ingle Farm Redevelopment and has joined the board of Youth Opportunities. She is on the Board of Governors of the Institute for International Trade based in the Adelaide University. About the Royal Flying Doctor Service The Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (RFDS) is one of the largest and most comprehensive aeromedical organisations in the world and Australias 3rd largest airline. Using the latest in aviation, medical and communications technology, it delivers extensive primary healthcare and 24-hour emergency services to those who live, work and travel throughout Australia. The Flying Doctor began in 1928 as an emergency rescue service but has now expanded to provide extensive primary healthcare services, with no patient more than two hours away from help. The RFDS is a not-for-profit organisation. While supported by the Commonwealth and State Governments, the RFDS relies heavily on fundraising and donations from the community to purchase and medically-equip its aircraft and to support other major initiatives. Nationally, the RFDS has a fleet of 61 aircraft operating from 21 bases located across the country and provides medical assistance across remote, rural and regional Australia. For more information please visit www.flyingdoctor.org.au For further information contact: Rebecca Wyles, RFDS (National Office) on 02 8259 8105 or 0404 048 007 Rebecca.Wyles@rfdsno.com