A CHANCE conversation with his brother changed the life of Geoff Byrne and led him to donate the next 30 years of his life to St John Ambulance.
Starting work as a butcher in his father’s shop aged 14, Mr Byrne finished his apprenticeship and stayed in the shop for 20 years but did not like what he saw for his future.
At this stage his brother, who was already in the ambulance service spoke to Mr Byrne about the job and convinced him to join.
“I applied for three years in a row and when I got hired it changed my life,” he said.
“I was at a post in Perth for five years and then the opportunity to work at the Bunbury substation for a few weeks came up.
“Now after 25 years here it is time to retire.”
Mr Byrne said a lot had changed in the industry in the last 25 years.
“When we first got into the service we were called ambulance officers but over the years it has evolved to introduce news skills, management strategies and medications to make paramedics which can do more good,” he said.
“You learn a lot on the job and the news skills have helped us to save a truckload of lives.
“Working in Bunbury has been heaven and it’s nice to be able to do something for people that makes them feel good.”
Celebrating his career with drinks at the Rose Hotel garden bar on Thursday night, Mr Byrne was joined by his colleagues who have more than 120 years of service between them.
His colleague Brian Scotney, who has been a paramedic in Bunbury for 21 years after nine years in England, said the best part of the job was the camaraderie with peers.
“Ambulance officers work in pairs for two day shifts, two night shifts and four days off,” he said.
“You get to know your partner very well – there are times when you see them more than your family.
“I’ve been paired with Geoff for 15 years and after that much time you even know what they are thinking.”
To learn more about working for St John Ambulance visit stjohn.org.au
