Region’s ambos are celebrated

THREE Tablelands Queensland Ambulance Service officers were among 15 staff and volunteers from the region who were awarded medals by the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) at a recent ceremony.

Dimbulah OIC Brendan Goldsworthy receiving his 20-year Long Service Medal from QAS Far Northern Commissioner Brina Keating.

QAS Far Northern Commissioner Brina Keating presented Officer-in-Charge of the Dimbulah Ambulance Station, Brendan Goldsworthy, with a medal for 20 years of service, and Atherton paramedics Lachlan Rogers and Andrew Wilson, and former patient transport officer Connie Rovina, with medals for 15 years of service.

Recipients from Cairns, Mossman and Kuranda were also represented, at which long service medals and national medals marked a combined 225 years of service.

Also announced were the recipients of two special annual awards, The Mike Dillon Award and the Lara Darby Award.

Mike Dillon was an officer who displayed enormous courage and determination. The award recognises staff who show similar outstanding determination and is open to all operational and non-operational sections of the service.

Lara Darby was a highly respected officer of the QAS and Far Northern Region. Known for her caring and compassion for her staff. She sadly passed away in early 2022 after a long battle with cancer and the Lara Darby Caring for Staff Award was created.