History

McKay Patrol - The Uniting Church serving outback Queensland.

The name ‘McKay Patrol’ is derived, not from a place, but a person.

Whilst not the first padre to operate in the North west, the name, Rev Fred McKay has become synonymous with the work of outback padres over the last 100 years or so.

Fred McKay was directly appointed to Cloncurry in 1927 by Rev John Flynn to oversee the formation and early operations of the flying medical service that became the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Fred’s vision was the same as Flynn’s in helping to create a ‘mantle of safety’ over those in the outback.