Two decades of service honoured by Nambour ambulance committee

Two long-serving members of the Nambour Local Ambulance Committee have been recognised for more than 20 years of helping improve emergency care and community education.

Geoff Brown and Brett Sinclair, who both recently retired from the committee, received length of volunteer service awards and wooden plaques recognising their community service at the LAC’s August meeting.

Acting Sunshine Coast District Director Danielle Williams and Nambour Officer-in-Charge Stewart Graitkins presented the awards, with Ms Williams acknowledging the pair’s contribution to the community, particularly through training people of all ages in emergency care.

Long-serving LAC member Gary Langford, now in his 27th year with the committee, reflected on how much had changed since the organisation’s early days in 1999.

Mr Langford said the committee had started with no funds but had since raised almost $500,000 through donations, fundraising and an estate bequest. In the early years, defibrillators were not carried in all Nambour ambulance station vehicles and there were few opportunities to educate community members about how they could help in an emergency.

Mr Langford said some innovations introduced through the Nambour LAC had since been adopted more widely across Queensland.

He also recognised Greg Biggs, who recently retired after 25 years of service, and Mr Sinclair’s role in obtaining the committee’s first defibrillator through a gaming industry grant.

Mr Brown recalled another defibrillator being donated by old-time dancing organisers Mike and Rita James, who later joined the LAC.

Mrs James had previously survived a medical emergency after then Nambour OIC Barry Wood arrived in an ambulance carrying a defibrillator. The couple later raised money and presented another unit to the LAC at a Kawana dance.

Mr Sinclair also recalled the committee supplying a defibrillator to the helicopter rescue service at a time when one was not permanently carried aboard the aircraft.

With their LAC service behind them, Mr Sinclair is concentrating on recovering from a recent knee replacement, while Mr Brown is looking forward to more golf and bowls.

Long-serving Nambour Local Ambulance Committee members Geoff Brown, centre left, & Brett Sinclair were recognised for more than 20 years of service.