secretary
Vanessa Sinclair
Vanessa is a volunteer at Campbelltown Station in Northern Tasmania. Vanessa has been a VAO since 2020. Vanessa was elected to the Board in 2021.
treasurer
Margaret Chilcott
Margaret is a volunteer and Unit Coordinator at Poatina Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Margaret has been a VAO since 2012. Margaret was elected to the Board in 2019.
Board Member
Wayne Doran, ASM
Wayne is Volunteer Coordinator at Bothwell Volunteer Station. Wayne has been a VAO since 1993. Wayne is a past President, an inaugural member (1996) and a Life Member of the Association. Wayne was a recipient of the Ambulance Service Medal in 2009 and was a key organiser of the New Norfolk Gathering in 2014. Wayne won the Volunteering Tasmania Emergency Services Volunteer Award in 2021.
Board Member
Cheryl Wilson, ASM
Cheryl is a volunteer at Sorell double branch Station. Cheryl has been a VAO since 1994. Cheryl is a past Vice-President and inaugural member (1996) of the Association. Cheryl was the recipient of the Ambulance Service Medal in 2010. Cheryl was a key organiser of the Nubeena Gathering in 2013.
Acting/President
Helen Jenkinson
Helen is a volunteer and Unit Coordinator at Queenstown Branch Station on the West Coast of Tasmania. Helen has been a VAO since 2010. Helen was elected on to the Board in 2018 and was Secretary from 2018-2022.
Helen is the Public Officer of the Association.
Board Member
Jack Van Tatenhove
Jack is a volunteer with the Port Sorell Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). He has been a VAO since 2006. Jack is both a past President and past Treasurer of the Association. He was key organiser of the following Gatherings – Camp Banksia 2009, Camp Clayton 2012, Scamander 2018 and Camp Clayton 2021.
Jack was given a Life Membership in 2021.
ASSISTING THE BOARD
MARGARET DENNIS, ASM
Margaret has retired as a Volunteer Ambulance Officer but continues to provide a support role to the Association through publishing the ‘First Response’ newsletter on a quarterly basis since 1996. Margaret was a volunteer at Rossarden and then Avoca Volunteer Station from 1989 until 2013. She is a past Secretary 1996-2006 and past Treasurer 2007-2009 and is an inaugural/founding member (1996) and a Life Member of the Association.
Joint Statement on Promoting a Positive Workplace Culture
In 2014, the VAOAT were the first signatories on the Joint Statement promoting Positive Workplace Culture.
This Joint Statement was with Ambulance Tasmania and the Health and Community Services Union (HACSU).
Our Vision
Improved representation and support for Volunteer Ambulance Officers in Tasmania, to maximise patient care outcomes.
Our Mission
We will support all Volunteer Ambulance Officers (VAOs) and provide for their well being through advocating, representation, communication, support and event management:
2022 - Our Goals to support the Vision and Mission are:
VAOAT Communication
- Communicate the message – Recruit, Retain, Recognise
- Lead in seeking highest standards in VAO resources
- Maximise opportunity to attend Volunteer Induction Programs
- Maximise webpage and social media as communication tools
- Support First Response newsletter
- Assist VAOs understanding of AT decisions
- Celebrate and promote individual VAO achievements
- Regularly communicate to all VAOs
VAOAT Social & Promotions
- Maximise opportunities to promote VAOAT and VAO’s.
- Maximise free training opportunities for VAOs
- Deliver G22 in a COVID-safe manner inside financial constraints
- Prepare planning for G23 and G24
- Review and constantly reinvigorate VAOAT branding opportunities
- Develop promotional material
- Develop a VAOAT Award nomination committee
- Consider invigorating the “Take-5” campaign
VAOAT Governance
- Manage the strategic development process
- Maintain and grow membership numbers
- Review all VAOAT governance documents annually
- Develop long term financial plans
- Investigate funding opportunities in a timely manner
- Obtain and maintain sufficient and sustainable funding
- Engage community groups as potential source of funding
VAOAT Focus
- Grow the strength in the AT/VAOAT relationship
- Seek professionalism for VAOs through AT supported training
- Seek representation on AT committees constantly
- Manage political independence and awareness of VAOAT
- Improve relationships with professional bodies
- Investigate potential Association opportunities
- Explore the development of a social network for retired VAOs
