Yass’ longest-serving paramedic Gerard Eades was finally honoured for his 39-year career as a paramedic in Yass at a recent ceremony at the new Yass Ambulance Station.
His career, which fell short of 40 years of service by three months, came to an end in November 2019 and hasn’t been celebrated until now, initially due to the 2019/20 bushfire season then also the Covid-19 pandemic.
Gerard was recognised with a long service and good conduct medal, presented by Deputy Commissioner of NSW Ambulance, David Dutton.
“Whilst he is retired, we still recognise our former members who are a very important part of our ambulance community and our legacy group,”
“Many paramedics will just quietly go through their entire careers touching 100’s and 1000’s of patients’ lives,” he said.
Dutton also added that the recognition is as much from the community as it is from NSW Ambulance.
“The beautiful thing we get to do is to make sure the thanks of the community is passed onto them.”
“It’s just really great that Gerard can be here today at this new chapter of Yass Ambulance paramedics to recognise his service over recent years,” he said.
After training in Goulburn, Gerard was given the option of Batemans Bay or Yass.
He chose Yass and brought his family from Canberra, raising his three sons in the area, all now adults.
Former colleagues Station Manager Paul Box and Senior Paramedic Belle Green reflected on Gerard’s service with great respect. They stated he would recall the days where the Hume Highway was not a dual carriageway and a particular period where he witnessed 17 fatalities in one week.
We at the Yass Valley Times would like to thank Gerard for his immense contribution to the community and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.
Max O’Driscoll
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