Medal winners honoured at ambulance awards ceremony

The Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) today acknowledged 35 officers with long-service medals and Diplomas of Paramedical Science at Southeast Region’s ‘Star Care Awards’.

Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said four officers with 30 years experience were among those presented with medals at a ceremony at Beenleigh Community Centre.

“I’d like to congratulate these QAS paramedics, staff and volunteers for their longstanding and continuing work to provide world-class care and dedicated service for Queenslanders in the South East,” Mr Roberts said.

“Many officers’ long-service was acknowledged today, along with seven officers who have completed their Diploma of Paramedical Science.

“Ambulance Week is a celebration of the dedication and professionalism of QAS paramedics, staff and volunteers.

“This is reflected in this year’s National Satisfaction Survey of ambulance services which showed that the QAS had earned a satisfaction rating of 99 per cent from the people best able to express an opinion – the patients we deal with.

“The QAS responded to more than 879,000 demands for service during the 2007-08 year – an increase of more than 60,000 over the previous 12 months.

“In the South Eastern Region alone, the QAS provided around 180,000 total responses.

“The Bligh Government is committed to providing a first-class ambulance service.

“A record budget of $455 million, an increase of more than $53 million on 2007-08, includes funding for 250 additional ambulance officers and 145 new ambulances.

“That’s on top of the 255 extra officers and 140 new vehicles funded in 2007-08.”

Media Contact: Brendan Connell (Minister’s Office) - 3247 8194

Emergency Services Media - 3247 8186

Award recipients:

Natasha Bennett - OIC Helensvale - 10 Year QAS Service Award

Donald Coleman - ACP Beenleigh - 10 Year QAS Service Award

Andrew Crane - ACP (Casual Officer) - 10 Year QAS Service Award

Peter Doyle - ACP Springwood - 10 Year QAS Service Award

Wayne Kirk - CSO Ipswich Area - 10 Year QAS Service Award

Neil Robinson - PTO Logan West - 10 Year QAS Service Award

Nigel Stamp - ACP Nerang - 10 Year QAS Service Award

Colin Allen - CCS SECOMM - 20 Year QAS Service Award

Paul Hardie - ACP Laidley - 20 Year QAS Service Award

Stephen Kidd - ACP Nerang - 20 Year QAS Service Award

Steven Kliese - ACP Ipswich - 20 Year QAS Service Award

James Newman - Honorary Rathdowney - 20 Year QAS Service Award

Ian Richter - Honorary Rathdowney- 20 Year QAS Service Award

Lynnette Richter - Honorary Rathdowney - 20 Year QAS Service Award

Margaret Salisbury - Honorary Rathdowney - 20 Year QAS Service Award

Wayne Tester - ACP Southport - 20 Year QAS Service Award

Anthony Ward - Honorary Rathdowney - 20 Year QAS Service Award

Ross Breckenridge - ACP Laidley - 30 Year QAS Service Award

Mark McDonald - RAE RSDU - 30 Year QAS Service Award

John Tesoriero - Area Director Gold Coast - 30 Year QAS Service Award

Peter Tesoriero - ACP Beaudesert - 30 Year QAS Service Award

Mark Crossett - ACP Logan West - National Medal

Wayne Thurston - ACP Runaway Bay - National Medal

Gary Fuller - OIC Logan West - 1^st Clasp to National Medal

Shane Sypher - OIC Toogoolawah - 1^st Clasp to National Medal

Tony Wain - Regional Manager RSDU - 1^st Clasp to National Medal

Allan Windsor - ACP Coral Gardens - 1^st Clasp to National Medal

Thomas McGee - Logan West LAC - 10 Year LAC Service Award

Donna Alward - ACP Coral Gardens - Diploma of Paramedical Science

Helen Barndon - ACP Raceview - Diploma of Paramedical Science

Debra Cain - ACP Beaudesert - Diploma of Paramedical Science

Paul Gray - ACP Southport - Diploma of Paramedical Science

Briony McLoughlan - ACP Beenleigh - Diploma of Paramedical Science

Susan Neale - ACP Springwood - Diploma of Paramedical Science

Peter Thorley - ACP Woodridge - Diploma of Paramedical Science