Heart of Australia focused firmly on health in the bush has been developing a strong connection with the Australian trucking industry.

Progress was highlighted this month when Heart of Australia founder and CEO, Dr. Rolf Gomes, was invited to be a keynote speaker for the 2017 national conference, in Toowoomba, of two trucking industry associations.

And why not? Heart of Australia’s clinic-on-wheels semi-trailer rig “trucks” its way across southern and central western Queensland for fortnightly specialist cardiology clinics in 13 towns – logging some 150,000klms in just two years.

Dr. Gomes addressed the Toowoomba conference that brought together elected representatives of the Australian Livestock and Rural transporters Association (ALRTA) and the Livestock and Rural Transport Association of Queensland (LRTAQ).

Between them, the two groups represent “top to bottom” trucking operators – from some of Australia’s biggest road transport fleets to one-truck owner/operators.

Dr. Gomes says the conference gave him the chance to carry out two tasks: explaining how and why he launched his pioneering travelling specialist medicine delivery program; and alerting “the truckers” to the inherent danger for them and their families of ignoring early signs of possible heart disease.

He says being at the conference opened the way for mutual dialogue with the trucking industry “that is crucial in the lives of bush Australians”.

And Dr. Gomes made special mention – and appreciation – of the advocacy for Heart of Australia from Darling Downs-based Mr. Ross Fraser, head of Fraser’s LivestockTransport – a man described by ALTRA as “passionate” in his support of Heart of Australia.