Queen honours Winton ambo

By Anthea Gleeson
news@longreachleader.com.au

FOR Michael Gaskin of Winton, being an ambulance officer in a small town means more than responding to emergency situations.
He believes it translates to becoming an integral component of a town’s lifeblood, whether by helping out at the local school or sitting in on the grassroots committees which make up regional communities.

"Out here we are a smaller station which doesn’t have a particularly high workload," Mr Gaskin explained.
"So we get involved with the community and local groups through committees and volunteer work."

For his dedication and service to the people of Winton, Mr Gaskin was acknowledged with an Ambulance Service Award on Monday as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

"I think ‘honoured’ would be a very good way to describe what the award means to me.
"These awards are fairly rare things, so it was a good feeling."

Mr Gaskin has been living in Winton for the past seven years with his wife Wendy and their two children Megan and Ben.

"Places like Winton and Longreach are fantastic little towns, with a great community focus.
"Wendy is from Blackall and we have always both loved the bush, so after some time working in Mackay, a job in Winton was on the cards.
"Moving back to the bush was one of the best things we have done."

Mr Gaskin started out in the ambulance service as a volunteer, becoming an accredited paramedic in 1998 after prompting from his family.

"I used to be a ringer on a station and helped out at the local volunteer ambulance service. With a family background in nursing, when this job came up I decided to take it.

"I really love the job – the look on people’s faces when you are able to help their loved ones is quite touching.
"Even the simple things, like responding to a call after a kid has fallen over in the playground only to find it’s a bruised knee – to give that news to the parents and see their relief is something."

Mr Gaskin will be presented with his service award in a special ceremony at the Governor’s House in Brisbane later this year, alongside fellow Western Queenslanders Jane Karkadoo of Doomadgee and Donald McDonald from ‘Devoncourt’, Cloncurry.

Ms Karkadoo was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for her service to the Indigenous community of Doomadgee of which she is an elder, working towards local improvements in social justice, employment and women’s issues.

For his commitment to regional Queensland, in particular Cloncurry, Mr McDonald has been honoured as a Member of the Order of Australia.
Mr McDonald was recognised for his work in agriculture, transport infrastructure and community health.
This year’s awards celebrate 670 people who have been acclaimed for their contribution to others.
Awards in the Queen’s honour system represent the highest level of veneration handed out by Australia, and celebrate and recognise community values.

"These awards particularly recognise the quiet achievers; those who serve the community but do not seek accolades for themselves," Chairman of the Council of the Order Sir James Gobbo said.

"It is important that the honours system continues to uphold the national ethos of valuing diversity and recognises the contributions made by citizens to Australian culture and social life, regardless of background."