A breast cancer battle, a stint in real estate and a death from pneumonia: Where are the memorable faces of The Flying Doctors today

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When it comes to iconic Australian drama, few series will be remembered as fondly as They Flying Doctors.

Originally conceived as a mini-series in 1985, the concept's popularity saw it return as an ongoing series the following year and it remained on Australian screens for nine seasons.

Set in the fictional outback town of Cooper's Crossing, The Flying Doctors followed the day-to-day-lives, romances and dramas of the RFDS' doctors, nurses, pilots and base staff. 

Fan favourite: When it comes to iconic Australian drama, few series will be remembered as fondly as They Flying Doctors

The series also followed the stories of the colourful denizens of Cooper's Crossing including  the affable bar owners Vic (Maurie Fields) and Nancy (Val Jellay), resident busybody Violet Carnigie (Pat Evison) and arrogant businessman George Baxter (Bruce Barry)

Wrapping up production in 1992, the show was revamped to R.F.D.S and the location changed from Cooper's Crossing to Broken Hill. However, the show only lasted one season in that incarnation.

Andrew McFarlane: Dr Tom Callaghan

Andrew McFarlane played doctor Tom Callaghan who takes over the R.F.D.S base in Cooper's Crossing at the beginning of the series

Still at it: Most recently, Andrew appeared alongside Alex Demitriades as connected businessman Donald Scheere in the ABC TV psychological drama series Seven Types Of Ambiguity

Andrew played doctor Tom Callaghan who takes over the R.F.D.S base in Cooper's Crossing at the beginning of the series.

Leaving after the first season, to be replaced by Robert Grubb, Andrew returned to the role in series five for a further 367 episodes.

Already an accomplished actor before taking on the Flying Doctors Role in such shows as Homicide, and Division 4, Andrew has enjoyed a prolific career since the series wrapped with roles in such diverse fare as Play School, Underbelly and Love Child.

Most recently, Andrew appeared alongside Alex Demitriades as connected businessman Donald Scheere  in the ABC TV psychological drama series Seven Types Of Ambiguity.

Rebecca Gibney: Emma Plimpton

Shot to fame: One of her first major television roles, Rebecca Gibney played the beautiful and down to earth mechanic Emma Plimpton. She is pictured with on-screen love interest Peter O'Brien

Bankable: Rebecca was most recently seen in the second series of the Channel Seven crime thriller Wanted

One of her first major television roles, Rebecca Gibney played the beautiful and down to earth mechanic Emma Plimpton.

Arriving after six episodes, Emma quickly took a shine to pilot Sam Patterson (Peter O'Brien) and the couple eventually tied the knot.

One of Australian television's most bankable stars, post Flying Doctors, Rebecca has leant her acting talents to such shows as Packed To The Rafters (a role that won her a 2009 Gold Logie), Halifax f.p and All Together Now.

Rebecca was most recently seen in the second series of the Channel Seven crime thriller Wanted.

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Rebecca hinted that there may be a season three of the popular series in the works 

'We are pitching season three at the moment and we will be waiting with bated breath to see if the show rates and if people watch it,' she said before the season two premiere.

Peter O'Brien: Sam Patterson

Air male: Hunky pilot Sam Patterson was calm under pressure and able to handle any mid-air malady that came his way. A fan favourite, Sam was also the love interest of mechanic Emma Plimpton who he eventually married

Well known: Peter will next be seen in the soon-to-be-released apocalyptic thriller What Still Remains and he was also seen in the 2017 Tropfest short film festival-winning black comedy The Mother Situation

Hunky pilot Sam Patterson was calm under pressure and able to handle any mid-air malady that came his way. 

A fan favourite,  Sam was also the love interest of mechanic Emma Plimpton who he eventually married.

Post Flying Doctors, Peter's star continued to rise with roles in such small screen fare as White Collar Blue, long running UK cop drama The Bill and iconic UK medical drama Casualty.

He tied the knot with fellow actor Miranda Otto in 2003 after meeting during a production of the Ibsen play A Doll's House. The pair welcomed daughter, Darcey, into the world in 2005.

Peter will next be seen in the soon-to-be-released apocalyptic thriller What Still Remains and he was also seen in the 2017 Tropfest short film festival-winning black comedy The Mother Situation.

Robert Grubb: Dr Geoff Standish

Relief: Dr Standish came to Cooper's Crossing after the initial departure of Dr Tom Callaghan and stayed until the cameras stopped rolling in 1992.

Wind down: Now 67, Robert has slowed down somewhat but most recently popped up in an episode of the Foxtel prison drama Wentworth

Dr Standish came to Cooper's Crossing after the initial departure of Dr Tom Callaghan and stayed until the cameras stopped rolling in 1992.

His relationship with nurse Kate Wellings (Lenore Smith) became one of the most memorable story arcs on the show with the couple eventually giving the series its second wedding.

Having already established himself with rles in such big screen fare as Gallipoli, My Brilliant Career and Mad Max beyond Thunderdome, Robert came to Cooper's Crossing with a wealth of experience.

One of Australia's best character actors, Robert is also a dab hand on the stage, winning a 2004 Helpmann best supporting male actor in a musical award for his turn in the Queen extravaganza We Will Rock You.

Now 67, Robert has slowed down somewhat but most recently popped up in an episode of the Foxtel prison drama Wentworth.

David Reyne: Dr Guy Reid

Lothario: Cooper's Crossing's resident womaniser, Dr Guy Reid joined the cast for the Flying Doctor's final two seasons.

Sea change: After stints on Getaway and hosting 9am with David and Kim, David had a brief stint in real estate

Cooper's Crossing's resident womaniser, Dr Guy Reid joined the cast for the Flying Doctor's final two seasons. 

The younger brother of rocker James Reyne, David also found musical fame with the 80s pop act The Chantoozies. 

Post Flying Doctors, David briefly hosted the Midday Show with Tracey Grimshaw in 1995 before taking on one of the most coveted TV gigs - travel presenter for Getaway from 1992 to 2006.

He also helmed the Network Ten morning show 9am with David and Kim until 2009.

David has also spent some time out of the spotlight as a real estate agent on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula but it seems as though he has since left the industry.

An in-demand public speaker, David most recently MCd travel agency Helloworld's annual business summit on the Gold Coast in MAY.

Liz Burch: Dr Chris Randall

Original: Dr Chris Randall came to Cooper's Crossing with Dr Tom Callaghan at the start of the series

Long career: With her last small-screen credit being in the teen surfing drama Blue Water High, Liz has since been kept busy in theatre and lending her talents to a range of corporate videos

Dr Chris Randall came to Cooper's Crossing with Dr Tom Callaghan at the start of the series.

She remained in the fictional town until moving to Melbourne to take care of her sick father. Eventually returning to the town, she fell in love with tom and the pair left for Africa.

 Having already made a name for herself in such shows as Cop Shop and Five Mile Creek before putting down roots in Cooper's Crossing Liz quickly became a fan favourite on the show.

Post Flying Doctors, Liz, found work in shows such as Water Rats and All Saints and a principal role in the Australian teen sci-fi series Ocean Girl.

With her last small-screen credit being in the teen surfing drama Blue Water High, Liz has since been kept busy in theatre and lending her talents to a range of corporate videos.

 Tracey  Mann: Penny Armstrong

Making the rounds: Tracy Mann joined the cast of The Flying Doctors as nurse Penny Armstrong, appearing in five episodes

Battle: In 2015, Tracy was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent chemotherapy and a double mastectomy.

Tracy joined the cast of The Flying Doctors as nurse Penny Armstrong, appearing in five episodes.

Most recently appearing on Australian screens as Mrs Plunge in the multicultural comedy Here Come The Habibis, Tracey's resume reads like a who's who of Australian television.

Aside from the Flying Doctors, Tracy has also been seen in such fare as Wonderland, Laid, All Saints and Heartbreak High.

 In 2015, Tracy was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent chemotherapy and a double mastectomy. 

Taking to Instagram to make the announcement, Tracey told her followers: 'Life is too short to worry over the small and even BIG stuff. I send you all love and best wishes for long and happy lives. Tracy xxx'.'

Making a full recovery, Tracey was most recently seen in the Ensemble Theatre's production of Relatively Speaking at Sydney's Glen Street Theatre. 

Val Jellay: Nancy Buckley

Along with her husband Vic (played by real life husband Maurie Fields) Nancy ran the Majestic Hotel, the Cooper's Crossing watering hole. 

As publican Nancy and Vic often played agony aunt and uncle to the residents of Coopers Crossing and became an integral part of the show's success.

A seasoned vaudeville performer, Val made the move into television and didn't look back with stints on such shows as Prisoner, Matlock Police, Neighbours and Bluey.

She was married to Maurie from 1960 until his death in 1995 from a heart attack.

Val passed away, at age 89, in May this year, after a short battle with pneumonia.

Announcing her death on Twitter, son Marty said: 'My mum, Val, passed away today of pneumonia. She lived an amazing life. She's back with her beloved Maurie now.I will miss her very much.

Beloved: Along with her husband Vic (played by real life husband Maurie Fields) Nancy ran the Majestic Hotel, the Cooper's Crossing watering hole

Tragic: Val passed away, at age 89, in May this year, after a short battle with pneumonia