DAYS GONE BY
Letter from Chief Secretary's Department to Board of Management in Launceston, 1910
Interest in the old days was aroused after the letter donated by Superintendent Gary O'Keefe for publication in First Response, shown here. it explains that the government agrees that the Board of Management at Launceston should take over the new ambulance. They suggest that they operate the same as the situation in Hobart, there the driver makes a charge for transport, the hospital paying when the people are without means. Interesting where it is mentioned that the driver owns the horse but not the ambulance.
Ambulance built by F. Paine & Sons, early carriage builders in Launceston
The Launceston Reference Library was very helpful for obtaining the following items.
Invoice from F. Paine & Sons for Ambulance built in 1910
This invoice is dated April 1910, just two months prior to the letter mentioning the ambulance built by public subscription, so it is almost sure to be the one. F. Paine and Sons, who had premises in Patterson Street, Launceston, have added Motor Manufactory to their heading. The invoice is a trifle hard to read but transcribed it reads Launceston Ambulance Society, Launceston. To One Ambulance as per tender - 92 Pounds 10 Shillings. Extras Rubber mat for front and fitting 2 storm curtains on front and patent fasteners. Making and fixing water proof apron on front and to making 2 military stretchers - 13 Pounds 10 Shillings. Total - 106 Pounds
Ambulance fitted out in the event of pneumonic influenza, 1915
From the Weekly Courier 6th March 1915. "Last week the motor ambulance which has been fitted specially for use in the event of an outbreak of pneumonic influenza in the city, was formally received by Mayor Shields on behalf of the Health Department. The motor has been approved by Dr L. G. Thompson, and Chief Inspector Riley, and is regarded as being splendidly equipped for the purpose for which it is desired. esigned to carry two patients, everything to ensure the greatest degree of comfort has been considered and carried out."
Ambulance contract work at Newnham Racing Club, 1919
They followed the horses in those days too! Cup meeting of the Newnham Racing Club at Mowbray on 7th February 1919, Earlsfine winning the cup. (photo by Weekly Courier)
Collision between Ambulance and car in Launceston, 1924
Whoops, from the Weekly Courier June 19th 1924.
"The Launceston municipal ambulance after its collision with a car
at the intersection of Charles and Canning Streets, last week."
(photo by Spurling)
Brief history of Ambulance Tasmania
Ambulance Tasmania (formerly the Tasmanian Ambulance Service) came into existence in 1959, with the appointment of four regional boards -
Southern, Northern, Devonport and district, Burnie and district. It replaced a very fragmented ambulance service which had been operated by
individual councils throughout the state.
Between 1959 and 1966, the first co-ordinated ambulance service operated on a Statewide basis, with the St John Ambulance acting as agent
to the four boards. In 1966, the boards took over the operation of the Service from the St John Ambulance.
The boards were responsible to an Ambulance Commission.
An Interim Ambulance Authority was appointed in 1977 to replace the Commission. Its brief was to create a Tasmanian Ambulance Service.
The work of the Authority culminated with the Ambulance Act 1982 which created Ambulance Tasmania as we know it today.
The regional boards established in 1959 were abolished and a new Ambulance Directorate was formed to administer the service on a Statewide basis.
Three regions, Southern, Northern and North-Western with headquarters in Hobart, Launceston and Burnie were set up.
Tamar Times, May 14th 1992
The first (pale blue) badge is no longer used, the other two badges are still in use, the blue one is being phased out.
Please Note - it is service policy that T.A.S. badges are not available for sale or swap to collectors.
Ambulances Not So Long Ago
Holden EH vehicle
Formerly in use at Rossarden then purchased by Avoca.
Now privately owned and restored to its former glory.
Rossarden-Storys Creek Independent Service Aide Car
This Holden vehicle was purchased new in 1972, both vehicle and equipment were paid for with money deducted from the miners' wages.
Rossarden was taken over by Ambulance Tasmania in 1990 and this vehicle was replaced.
Tarraleah
The old and the not quite so old!
Dodges Ferry & District
Prompted by the relative isolation of the Lewisham-Dodges Ferry-Primrose Sands area, a week-end First Aid Service was set up in 1964,
by Hobart Ambulance Officer, Barry Neave. The St John Ambulance service began with a first aid kit in the boot of a Morris Minor,
and provided treatment to local residents and the large number of holiday-makers, until an ambulance arrived..
1970 First Aid unit - a siren could be turned on by members of the public, to notify of an accident.
1971 EJ Holden - fund-raising allowed for vehicle and equipment to be updated.
The Dodges Ferry St John Ambulance Unit joined forces with the Carlton Beach Surf Lifesaving Club,
to build a new headquarters near the Dodges Ferry launching ramp.
Hobart
MV Camilla II was used to ferry patients across the River Derwent in Hobart, following the collapse
of one span of the Tasman Bridge. On the night of 5-6 January 1975, the ship Lake Illawarra
sailed between the wrong pair of pylons and struck the bridge.
Peter Morgan (current Supervisor, Southern Operations) - pictured - was Skipper,
with Ted Preshaw (recently retired Superintendent, Southern Region) as Relief Skipper.
Hobart Ambulance Officer, Barry Neave, in 1969 with Dodge ambulances plus one Humber vehicle.
The original Hobart Rescue Unit - a Falcon utility - was set up originally as a St John vehicle housed at
Hobart Ambulance Station. Ultimately Ambulance Tasmania personnel took over the use of
the vehicle, resulting in the commencement of Ambulance Rescue. This photo was taken in 1969