‘A Mantle of Safety’ explores the remarkable story of the origins of Frontier Services.

In 1912, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church established the Australian Inland Mission (AIM), responding to a report by Rev John Flynn about the needs of people living in the outback. Flynn’s vision was to create a “mantle of safety” so people could build sustainable community despite the hardships of outback life. His work led to the development of the pedal radio and the Aerial Medical Service which is today the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Following church ‘union’ in 1977, the outback work of the Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregational churches came together using the name Flynn himself had used – “Frontier Services”. Today Frontier Services is the largest provider of remote ministry and of aged and community care in remote Australia and delivers a wide range of other services including health care, children’s services and community support, with more than 1,000 staff in approximately 120 services, across 85% of the continent. Narrated by Will Hagon and produced by Monitor Films for Frontier Services, this historical DVD tells a story that all Australians need to hear – and calls for a renewed commitment to the people of remote Australia.