Illawarra Sector awards presentation
We would all agree that recognition of an ambulance officer’s efforts and dedication
to duty is rare, but we would also agree that we don’t do the job
for reward, and it’s very humbling when it does happen. It's even
sweeter when support and appreciation is shown to staff by senior
management not only from our organisation but also from representatives
from all emergency services.
The recently appointed Assistant Divisional Manager Michael Bray hosted the 2008 Illawarra Sector and Southern Operations Medal Ceremony held at Wollongong City Diggers. A very fitting venue for the event with the Ambulance Band playing in the background.
Commendation for Courage awards were presented for the following incidents:
- On 31 January 2003, paramedics from various agencies responded to the Waterfall Train Diaster. Reports were that a four carriage train had derailed, two carriages were lying on their side with a large number of casualties and significant damage to the electrical infrastructure with several stanchions and overhead wires being brought down and in some areas hanging over carriages.
- In September 2005, a tourist coach with 24 passengers failed to negotiate the descent on Jamberoo Mountain Road. The coach ran out of control, colliding with a guard rail and overturned, coming to rest on its roof in thick bush. The first crew to arrive on-scene commenced treating numerous casualties until helped arrived. Several passengers were still trapped, some with critical injuries, some fatal.
- In January 2006, paramedics responded to an accident where a motor vehicle collided with a power pole at Dolphin Point near Ulladulla. While paramedics were treating the trapped male patient, overhanging power lines began to arc and a large explosion occurred, showering the scene with sparks. The two officers in attendance retreated immediately only to return a short time later and continued with their treatment. Again, the power lines arced and exploded above them. This time the live wires fell in the area where the paramedics were treating the patient.
Ten officers were recognised for their dedication to duty for working in extreme weather conditions, confined spaces with threats of live electrical equipment around them. Station Officers Ian Hanna and Terry Morrow, Rescue Officer Mark Rees, Paramedics Stephen Dawson, Andrew Stephens, Christopher Robbie, Neil Shepherd, Cheryl Clements, Greg Anderson and Glenn Congram were presented Commendations for Courage medals by Greg Rochford, CEO, for exhibiting considerable bravery, compassion and professionalism while bringing credit to themselves and Ambulance.
National Medals for staff who have served 15 years of continuous and diligent service to the community were Glenn Congram, William Fuller, Graeme Goodman, Kerri Orgill, David Palmer, Carlo Pitton, Patrick Tully and Darryn Wood and 1st Clasps for an additional 10 years of diligent service was presented to Greg Cameron from the Southern Operations Centre by Southern Divisional Manager Denis Beavan.
Long Service and Good Conduct Medals were presented for 10 years service by Michael Willis, General Manager Operations. Recipients were Peter Arndell, Lindy Boyko, Angela Bamber, Sharon Barlow, Matthew Begaud, John Bevan, Warwick Booth, Greg Brennan, Cheryl Clements, Wayne Evans, Bruce Flamank, Andrew Groves, Brian Heapy, Howard Hughes, Ross Joel, Louie Kostovski, Robert Lumby, Darrin Martin, John Mayfield, Tony McLeod, Robert Musgrove (retired), Erikki Okkonen, Darren Plumb, Carlo Pitton, Rob Sainsbury, Michael Rodgers, Anthony Ryan, Andrew Ryan, Rebecca Snelson, Scott Styles, Neil Shepherd, Patrick Tully, Louise Wareham, John Walker, Robert Westley (retired), Raymond Walsh and Michael Rebett (Southern Operations).
Norman Rees
District Officer (Protocol Officer)
Illawarra Region
Ambulance is committed to assisting the community create safer and healthier environments and outcomes by making prevention everyone’s businesses. A number of innovative community education programs have been implemented to assist identify life threatening conditions, understand what to do in an emergency and the importance of adopting illness prevention strategies.