Ambulance Week: Agnes Waters paramedic receives top honour

The Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) today acknowledged its best-performing officers at Central Region’s ‘Star Care Awards’.

Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts, Member for Keppel Paul Hoolihan, Deputy Commissioner Russell Bowles and QAS Central Region Assistant Commissioner Chris Broomfield congratulated recipients of the annual awards in a ceremony at the Rockhampton Heritage Village.

Agnes Waters Ambulance Station Officer-in-Charge and Intensive Care Paramedic Sean Balkin was awarded Paramedic of the Year for Central Region and also took out the Commissioner’s State-level award in the same category.

“Sean has worked in the Agnes Waters area for the past eight years and is highly regarded within the community. Sean is a quiet achiever and a true professional who regularly goes beyond the call of duty to serve his community,” Mr Roberts said.

“David Dornom was awarded Emergency Medical Dispatcher of the Year for his excellent allied service support, his resource management and exceptional communication skills.

“And Biloela Ambulance Station was recognised as Station of the Year for its friendly environment, efficient and effective administrative systems and processes and its immaculate presentation.”

Rockhampton’s Paul Cox was named Patient Transport Officer of the Year for Central Region for his professionalism and work ethic.

“Paul and a fellow officer were credited with saving a man’s life in June this year after the patient went into cardiac arrest. Paul performed life-saving treatment and the patient made a full recovery,” Mr Broomfield said.

Awards were also presented to: Duaringa’s Charlie Brimblecombe – Honorary Ambulance officer of the Year; Capricorn Coast’s Dawn Abraham – Local Ambulance Committee (LAC) Achiever of the Year; and Mackay’s Kirstie O’Brien – Support Officer of the Year.

Mr Roberts congratulated all ambulance officers, and said the Bligh Government was committed to providing them with the resources needed to maintain their high standard of performance.

“Queensland’s ambulance officers are among the best in the country.

“The Bligh Government’s playing its part by allocating record levels of funding to the QAS. This financial year the QAS budget has increased by $53.1 million to $455.7 million.

“That means the QAS will recruit 250 additional ambulance officers and buy 145 new ambulances this financial year.

“This builds on 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