Australian of the Year

For more than six decades, Dr David Cooke has dedicated his life to caring for patients in remote and regional Australia.  

David’s remarkable career is founded on his dual passions: medicine and aviation. As part of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, David provided care across vast and isolated parts of the Northern Territory and north Queensland. Working with little access to diagnostic technology, he relied on clinical judgement and resourcefulness to diagnose and treat patients in some of Australia's most challenging environments. A self‑described ‘pilot who practises medicine,’ David even trained in parachute jumping to reach patients in inaccessible locations.   

After settling in Port Macquarie in 1988, David became one of the region’s most respected doctors, known for his skill, humour and deep humanity. Now well into his 80s, David continues to care for patients in Port Macquarie and South West Rocks, helping address the critical shortage of general practitioners in the region.