Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 7 Hansard (10 July) . . Page.. 2460 ..

My answer (continuing):

You should be assured that the outcome of this tender process means the delivery of additional services in a cost efficient way, with a guaranteed timeframe, and high quality service provision.

MR HUMPHRIES (Treasurer, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Community Safety) (5.58): I move:

Last Monday, a long-serving senior member of the ACT Ambulance Service, Operations Manager David Holdom, retired. I think it is appropriate to make a few comments.

Spanning 30 years, David's career with the ACT Ambulance Service commenced on 20 July 1970. He was no stranger to emergency services as he grew up. His father was the original chief officer of the then Canberra Fire and Ambulance Service, in which role he was responsible for the establishment as a separate entity of the Canberra Ambulance Service, which until 1955 had been part of the fire service. With David's retirement, we have lost a link with the very beginnings of the ACT Ambulance Service.

David worked as an on-road officer with the service until 1983, when he was promoted to the position of Station Officer, with responsibility for the supervision of other on-road staff as well as shared operation of the Ambulance Communications Centre. He was amongst the first of several officers in the early 1980s who undertook training to become an advanced life support officer, the precursor of the current paramedic qualification within the service. In 1991, David was appointed to the position of Superintendent, which was renamed Operations Manager in 1999, with shared responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the service.

Throughout his career, Mr Holdom has displayed a level of commitment and enthusiasm towards his work which is not often seen. During the years he was working on-road, the standard of care he provided to the sick and injured was of the highest order. The level of commitment continued as his career path moved to a supervisory and managerial role, where he contributed tirelessly to the development of the Ambulance Service. I am told that many of his younger colleagues were unable to match his pace. He was described on occasions as a terrier dog because he latched onto problems and would not let go until they were overcome.

In brief, some of his significant contributions to the Ambulance Service have been in the areas of workplace relations, joint emergency service complexes, the establishment and maintenance of cross-border mutual aid agreements, staff welfare, improving policy and procedure to enhance conditions and the effectiveness of service operation, and interservice liaison. Over the years he made a significant contribution to the service's level of preparedness for a major incident or disaster.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .