Mr. William (Bill) McDougall received an award on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen for service to the welfare of mentally retarded children. (Commonwealth Govt of Australia Gazette, Tues 6 June 1978).
Bill McDougall along with his hard work and efforts in supporting the establishment and upkeep of the Coober Pedy Medical Centre was also instrumental in establishing the Coober Pedy Mine Rescue Squad and the Mintabie Mine Rescue Squad. Among the Mine Rescue squads in Coober Pedy and in Mintabie Bill is acknowledged for his hard work and determination to keep miners safe and because of this dedication Bill has been known to be called the “Father of Mine Rescue’’
1978 Overlooking the Coober Pedy Hospital with the relocation of the transportable accommodation (Matrons Flat) from its original location being to the right of the original medical centre building to the far side of the hospital grounds where it stands isolated and away from other buildings (courtesy of Coober Pedy Hospital & Health Services).
During this time, the Port Augusta RFDS would conduct twice weekly Doctor’s clinics. The RFDS would fly to Oodnadatta for a clinic before flying onto Coober Pedy for an overnight stay where the Doctor and pilot would reside in the nurses’ home. A medical clinic would be provided the following morning at the Coober Pedy Hospital before proceeding onto Commonwealth Hill Station, Tarcoola Hospital and Kingoonya before returning to Port Augusta, preferably before dark. On Fridays, another Doctor’s clinic was held with the plane flying direct to Coober Pedy.