A local doctor is combining his love of nature with his passion for a charitable cause.

Dr Mike Bruorton from Mount Gambier’s Hawkins Clinic originated from South Africa where he began his working life working on game reserves.

He later moved to zoology then medicine and the family moved to Australia, but his love of the wildlife of Africa combined with expert photography skills remains. It has resulted in the annual production of a calendar with spectacular photos of African wildlife, which in turn benefits the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

For the past few years, the profits from the calendar have been donated to the Mount Gambier RFDS Support Group, with Dr Bruorton recently donating a cheque from the 2020 calendar for $1486 to the support group’s president Bill Russon.

“Myself and all staff at the Hawkins Clinic, appreciate the service the RFDS provides to the local community and acknowledge how vital it is as a health service,” Dr Bruorton said.

Mr Russon thanked the Hawkins Clinic and Dr Bruorton for the support.

“The local community are so generous in their support of the RFDS service and it reflects on the donations made every year,” he said.

“The fundraising in the past year has been allocated to the patient transfer facility at the airport which is now in operation.

“Current fundraising will continue to go as in past years to the purchase and outfitting of RFDS planes.”

The 2021 calendar is now available for purchase from the Hawkins Clinic on Sturt Street for $15 with profits again going to the RFDS.

“With Christmas coming up, it would make an ideal Christmas present to anyone, but particularly to animal and photography lovers,” Dr Brourton said.