Legacy of 'Sugarbird Lady': Restored Plane of Pioneer Nurse to Land in Broome

Broome, Australia — On August 14, 2025, the legacy of Robin Miller-Dicks, renowned as the 'Sugarbird Lady,' will be honored with the landing of her restored Beech Baron aircraft in Broome. This event marks nearly 50 years since Miller-Dicks's premature death and celebrates her contributions during a critical polio outbreak in Western Australia (WA) in the late 1960s.

Miller-Dicks, a licensed pilot and dedicated nurse, flew solo across the remote North West of WA, delivering over 37,000 polio vaccine doses to isolated communities. She earned her nickname by administering the vaccine on sugar cubes to disguise its unpleasant taste, thus making it more palatable for children. Her efforts were pivotal in the eradication of polio in the region.

In 1967, despite the polio vaccine being available for over a decade, the WA Government faced significant challenges in reaching remote areas. At just 27 years old, Miller-Dicks approached the Health Department with a bold proposition: she would utilize her personal plane to administer the vaccine. After securing a loan to purchase a second-hand Cessna 182, she embarked on a mission that not only involved long hours and rugged landing strips but also showcased her commitment to healthcare in rural Australia.

“Flying around the Kimberley and Pilbara was a labor of love,” Miller-Dicks stated in a 1967 interview with the Australian Women’s Weekly. “I keep long hours, eat any time, and land on some pretty rocky old strips, but I love the work.” Her unique approach included engaging with children in a friendly manner, wearing casual attire to avoid intimidating the young recipients.

After completing her immunization program in 1969, Miller-Dicks joined the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS), where she continued to serve remote communities. Her remarkable career included extraordinary incidents, such as delivering a baby mid-air and facing legal troubles in Saudi Arabia due to her status as a female pilot.

Despite her untimely death from cancer at the age of 35 in 1975, Miller-Dicks's legacy endures. In 1971, she published an autobiography, "Flying Nurse," chronicling her groundbreaking career. In recognition of her contributions, she received numerous awards, including the Nancy Bird (Walton) award as Australia’s woman pilot of the year in 1970 and a diploma of merit from the Associazione Nazionale Infermieri in Italy in 1969. Following her death, she was posthumously awarded the Paul Tissandier diploma by the Fédération Aeronautique Internationale.

On the eve of the aircraft's landing, the Broome Lions Club will hold a wreath-laying ceremony at Miller-Dicks's gravesite. Furthermore, the inaugural Sugarbird Lady award will be presented to a nursing student at the Notre Dame Broome Campus, encouraging future generations to follow in her footsteps of service in the Kimberley and Pilbara regions. Additionally, displays commemorating her work are located at various sites, including Jandakot Airport and the WA State Museum.

“Robin Miller-Dicks was a trailblazer who dedicated her life to the service of others, and her remarkable achievements deserve to be honored,” said Rebecca Maddern, RFDS WA Director of Community Relations. “Her legacy lives on through the primary health programs that continue to be delivered by the RFDS in regional WA.”

As the restored Beech Baron aircraft approaches Broome, it symbolizes not just the journey of one remarkable woman but also the ongoing commitment to healthcare in remote communities. Miller-Dicks once shared, “I feel I am one of the few lucky females in the world who enjoys doing her job. I like flying, and it’s something to know that I’m also doing a worthwhile job.” The Sugarbird Lady's spirit continues to inspire, with her legacy soaring high even decades after her passing.