Recognition for ambos

Newman St John Ambulance sub-centre has been named this year’s best ambulance sub-centre, winning the title over 120 centres across the State.

Newman was nominated as a finalist for the North West region, which encompasses the Pilbara and Kimberley, before taking the overall prize at this month’s State conference.

Newman community paramedic Chris Hopkins said it was good to have recogni-tion for all the team members and volunteers at the centre.

“It is a big honour,” he said.

“This was the third time we’ve been a finalist in about the last seven years ... and it’s the first time we’ve received the award.”

Mr Hopkins said there were many things the centre had done well during the past eight years, including community projects to promote first aid training and first aid kits, and co-ordinating a first responder program in the community.

He said the centre had also survived a normalisation of the mining industry, which had caused volunteer numbers throughout the community to fall, adding the centre had grown from having two ambulances to four with a support vehicle.

St John Ambulance chief executive Tony Ahern said volunteers were vital in the provision of WA’s ambulance service.

“The Newman sub-centre has realised an increase of more than 20 per cent in volunteer numbers since 2014,” he said.

“This has been the result of an inclusive and engaged volunteer group and strong committee leadership and it has allowed the centre to grow and give back to the community.

“Some of Newman’s greatest achievements include the development of a remote indigenous first aid program which has been tailored to engage and suit the needs of the local Aboriginal community, as well as hosting community four-wheel-drive days to increase safety awareness and the employment of a casual kit servicing officer to continue to develop positive relationships with industry and community groups.”