Community carer calls time on ‘best job in the world’

October 8, 2024 | in Community News

A Southern Grampians Ambulance Community Officer (ACO) has bid farewell to “the best job in the world”.

After five years as an ACO caring for the Glenthompson community and, before that, a 15-year career as a paramedic, Dave Tyson has officially retired from his impactful role at Ambulance Victoria (AV).

A man is leaning against the side of an old ambulance parked beside a row of trees.

Dave pictured at Arthur’s Seat in 1988.

Dave said his time with AV was “worth every minute”.

His career began when he was 21 years old, after he came across local paramedics while he was working in a hospital as an orderly.

“I noticed some people in blue pushing stretchers through the hospital and thought it would be an interesting job,” Dave said.

“I applied and was accepted, with my first posting at Moorabbin.

“I was fortunate to have wonderful superintendents there who embraced their new recruits.”

A man standing in a white room with an opened door and smiling for the camera.

Dave Tyson has retired after more than 20 years with Ambulance Victoria.

After 15 years working in Melbourne, Dave decided to take a 20-year career break from AV.

“Being a paramedic is a wonderful job but it can be a high-pressure environment,” he said.

“I needed a break and so I became a ranger with Parks Victoria for the next 20 years.”

After working as a ranger on French Island, Point Nepean, Beechworth and the Grampians, Dave said he had “unfinished business with AV”.

“I became an ACO at the Beechworth and Glenthompson branches and it was a wonderful way for me to return,” he said.

“I still got the same challenging jobs I used to as a paramedic, but I had the paramedic support that arrives soon after.”

ACOs are employed by AV on a casual basis to work on-call in rural and remote communities and volunteer much of their time to maintaining their skills.

They are trained to provide advanced first aid and are often the first on scene, before ambulance back up arrives.

A woman and two men, one holding a bouquet of flowers, standing in front of two parked ambulances.

Dave (right) at his recent farewell with Glenthompson ACOs Jane and Ian.

Dave was officially farewelled by his Southern Grampians colleagues at the Glenthompson branch recently.

Paramedic Community Support Coordinator (PCSC) Jim Falla said he had made a significant contribution to AV.

“Dave is a fantastic, caring person with the welfare of others as his driving motivation,” Jim said.

“We have been so lucky to have him as part of the Southern Grampians team over the last few years and his care and compassion for the community and his ambulance family has been beautiful to see.”

Dave said he was looking forward to spending more time with his wife Leonie and on his other passion, World War 1 history, which was inspired by an early interaction with a patient.

“I got chatting to this lovely old chap in the back of an ambulance who had been in the Light Horse in WW1,” he said.

“I was just fascinated by his story and it’s what inspired me to start my own museum.”

He said he was incredibly impressed by the new generation of paramedics.

“I have huge respect and affection for all AV people, and a great love for my Glenthompson ACO colleagues,” he said.

“They are lovely people, always keen to learn and care for their community.”