The chance to meet people and help them has underpinned Eden paramedic Chris Robinson’s love for the job.
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Mr Robinson was awarded the National Medal for 15 years of continued service with NSW Ambulance at a casual ceremony at Eden Ambulance Station on Thursday.
With his wife and peers watching on, Mr Robinson acknowledged his team and thanked those around him for their support.
“I’m happy doing what I’m doing,” he said.
“It’s great to apply the training you receive to the challenges you face.
“Every day is different. The mornings are always different to the afternoons.”
Southern NSW zone manager Mark Gibbs presented Mr Robinson with his medal and congratulated him for his service.
“This is just the community’s way of saying ‘thank you’ to you, for what you give and serving them and providing the support that you do in your role as a paramedic here at Eden,” Superintendent Gibbs said.
Mr Robinson, a former postie with Australia Post, said a mid-life crisis in the late 1990s made him rethink his career direction.
“In 1999 the ambos ran a rural campaign that drew my attention,” Mr Robinson said.
“From there I joined up, started in the west side of the zone and have made my way east.”
Despite only having a first aid certificate when he first applied, Mr Robinson completed the necessary training and has been a paramedic since.
He started his journey in Griffith, before venturing to Tumbarumba, Crookwell, Queanbeyan and finally Eden for the past three and a half years.
When deciding on where to place his medal, Mr Robinson said he would position it where his children would be able to appreciate it.