In 1917, the community of Maryborough, following the vision of a man named Alf Barnes, banded together to buy the town’s first ambulance.
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After choosing to purchase a motorised ambulance (the alternative was horse-drawn) the committee decided there should be rules for the governance of the vehicle – and so in 1918 was born the first ambulance auxiliary in Victoria.
On Saturday, it celebrates its centenary.
“How proud are we that we were the first ambulance auxiliary in Victoria – and not only that, we are still robustly functioning today,” Maryborough Ambulance Auxiliary president Dianne Mullins said.
The auxiliary continues to support the town’s ambulance service by fundraising to purchase equipment that helps paramedics and their patients alike.
While the town’s ambulances are fitted out with the standard Ambulance Victoria equipment, the auxiliary fundraises to provide other pieces.
“Putting the icing on the cake,” as Mrs Mullins describes it.
For example, the auxiliary has funded sets of vacuum mattresses and splints, which immobilise a patient or their limbs.
Paramedic educator Mark Passalick said the equipment purchased because of the auxiliary’s efforts meant patients had a better clinical experience.
“It makes our job easier, but it also has better outcomes for patients,” Mr Passalick said.
Mrs Mullins said that when she saw an ambulance with its sirens sounding and lights flashing, she knew it had well-trained paramedics who were well-supported by equipment.
She said the auxiliary received feedback on the “marvellous work” of the local paramedics, who went above and beyond in their duties.
“The community is very generous in their donations… That reflects on the way they perceive our paramedics,” Mrs Mullins said.
The auxiliary wanted to support the town’s paramedics, she said, because they had a challenging workplace.
But the auxiliary does not only support Maryborough’s ambulance service with money and material goods.
Mr Passalick said it was the moral support that was also vital. The auxiliary members and paramedics have established a relationship over the years.
Mr Passalick said the paramedics could be called out on a tough job and the next day they would come into the station and find flowers and biscuits waiting for them.
“We’re very much the envy of other branches,” paramedic Joe McCallum added.
While the auxiliary is thriving now, with some 27 members, it was in the not-too-distant past that the situation was different.
Mrs Mullins and her husband, Dan, joined in about 2011 at the invitation of her father, a long-term member.
At that time there were only about five people in the auxiliary.
But through what Mrs Mullins believed was simply word of mouth, more and more people came on board to help and revived the ailing volunteer-run organisation.
The auxiliary’s last major fundraiser, an open garden event, attracted more than 200 people attended and generated $7900.
Mrs Mullins noted it was not only the auxiliary efforts that benefited the ambulance; other community groups were very supportive of the auxiliary.
Looking to the future, the organisation is part of a wider community effort to build an aeromedical transfer station at the airport.
This would involve the construction of a building that gives paramedics a place to treat patients and transfer them to air ambulance, safely and out of the elements. Already, the auxiliary has raised some $5000 to $6000 for the project.
Mrs Mullins said the group was looking to improve health outcomes for the Maryborough and district communities.
As the auxiliary considers how it will help the ambulance service into the future, the town’s paramedics reiterate their gratitude for the volunteers.
“I don’t know what we’d do without the auxiliary. The support we get… You don’t get anywhere else,” Mr Passalick said.
Celebrating a centenary
Central Maryborough will be abuzz with activity on Saturday as the town celebrates 100 years of its ambulance and auxiliary.
At 11am, a parade of vintage emergency services vehicles will leave the station domain and travel down High Street to Princes Park, before heading to the ambulance station on Nightingale Street.
The town’s brass and pipe bands will also play during the parade.
Following the parade, Maryborough Ambulance Auxiliary’s longest-serving volunteer Ian Rogers and Ambulance Victoria chief executive officer Tony Walker will unveil a plaque, commemorating the occasion.
Ambulance Victoria chaplain Graeme Scorringe will also bless the vehicles, in a ceremony similar to that held at the Highland Gathering in 1919.
Members of the community are then invited to enjoy a free barbecue, provided by the Maryborough Lions Club, and check out the vintage vehicles.
Maryborough Ambulance Auxiliary president Dianne Mullins said the daytime events were free and accessible to everyone in the community to enjoy.
In the evening, former mayor Geoff Lovett will launch a booklet written by Rob Nielsen, called Three Cheers for Mr Barnes.
“We acknowledge the huge effort Rod made in writing it,” Mrs Mullins said.
Guests at the evening dinner will include the descendants of Dr W.C. Greene, the auxiliary’s first president.
Associate Professor Walker congratulated the community of Maryborough on the milestone.
“On behalf of Ambulance Victoria I would like to thank past and present members of the auxiliary for their support as well as thank our past and present local paramedics for their dedication to serving their community and helping save lives,” Associate Professor Walker said.