VAOAT Publications

MEMOIRS OF FREYCINET

Copies of the book "Memoirs of Freycinet, Tasmania: a History in Images and Verse" are available from all good book stores throughout Tasmania or contact the author on (03) 6257 0321

In 1961, the Glamorgan Council established a voluntary Ambulance Service for the municipality. However, it wasn't until 20 years later that the residents of Coles Bay decided it was time their village had its own ambulance. Co-incidentally, Bicheno had just purchased a new one and offered its old one, a Ford Falcon panel van, to Coles Bay free of charge.

From 1981 the ambulance was stored in a shed at Freycinet National Park until an Ambulance Station was built (1991) in Cosgrove Street, next door to the Fire Station. All ambulance officers are voluntary and attend regular training sessions.

Ruth Shelley with Coles Bay's first ambulance (photographer Lloyd Chappell)

Coles Bay Ambulance crew 2010: (L-R) Albert & Di Jongbloed, Nola Cooke, Ruth Shelley, Brett Gaie &Viv Holloway. Absent, Jacinta McCall & Helen Chuter (photographer Molly Greaves)

AMBULANCE DUTY

by Molly Greaves

An ambulance for Coles Bay;
And the year is'81.
Ambos trained and ready;
Their duty has begun

With fast action on Regatta Day
Will someone come to grief?
The ambulance stands by

Heart attack on the Saddle Track
Ambos soon arrive,
But no matter how they try
To revive the lifeless hiker;
Carried on a stretcher
Deathly still he'll lie.

A bad attack of asthma
Ambulance first aid
And then a happy sigh.

Car crash at Coles Bay turn-off
Tourists from Japan
Their bodies all awry.
The ambulance speeds to the scene
Hopefully to save them
Sadly, one will die

Turned ankle on the Isthmus track
Rescue boat at Hazards
And the ambulance stands by

Foreshore party; New Year's Eve
Alcohol and drugs
Revellers on a high
Ambos treating many
Doing all they can
With the ambulance nearby.

Broken foot on the Wineglass track
ChChCh! Helicopter hovers
To winch the patient high
And whiz her quickly to Coles Bay;
Old horse paddock landing
And the ambulance stands by

Ambos in their uniforms;
Trained and always ready
To answer all emergencies;
On them, we can rely!