The Mallacoota Ambulance Branch will celebrate 60 years in operation with an open day next Sunday.
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Take a walk down memory lane by exploring early and later model ambulances, and looking back over historic material from throughout the history of both the ambulance branch and its auxiliary.
Ambulance, art, equipment and CPR displays will all be on offer, and ambulance officers will be available for a chat from 9am-5pm.
You can also learn about the ‘4 Steps to Life’ program and purchase merchandise for a gold coin donation, while enjoying a cuppa and cake from the refreshment tent.
Mallacoota Ambulance’s Sandra Sund said the service has come a long way from the early days.
“It all began when Mallacoota had a population of around 150 people,” she said.
“A group of people attended a Mallacoota Medical Committee meeting, and the first hospital auxiliary was then formed in September 1954.
"It was agreed to obtain a second-hand ambulance, on the condition it was staffed by people who had been first-aid trained, for £100.
“Donations from the CWA and other organisations helped get it all going, and the Hospitals and Charities Commission provided subsidies until the branch became self-supporting.”
Many milestones have been achieved over the years, including construction of the current station, which began in 1974, and the opening of the local medical clinic in 1989.
The station was most recently renovated in 2004, which was a big year for Mallacoota Ambulance, including the arrival a new four-wheel drive ambulance, significant equipment upgrades, and the appointment of the station’s first paramedic community support coordinator.
“The certificate IV in basic emergency care was also held at the Mallacoota branch for the first time in 2004,” Ms Sund said.
“From that year onwards, the Ambulance Community Officers (ACOs) are re-accredited annually.
“We currently have 20 ACOs.”
Joining the present ACOs at the open day will be some familiar faces from the past, including one trail blazer.
“Our first ever female ACO, who started at Mallacoota in 1979, is coming,” Ms Sund said.
“After she left here, she worked elsewhere and recorded 25 years of service, and she’s bringing the certificate with her for us to put on display.”
The Mallacoota Ambulance Branch 60th anniversary celebrations will be held at the branch, at 82 Betka Road, Mallacoota, from 9am-5pm on Sunday, November 2.
For more information, contact Sandra by emailing sandrasund@ambulance.vic.gov.au or calling 0419 097 949.