Our History

In 2021, the VAOAT invited Dianne Coon and Margaret Dennis to reflect on the history of the VAOAT. Over the preceding 25 years, the VAOAT had continually strived to provide improved representation and support for Volunteer Ambulance Officers in Tasmania, to maximise patient care outcomes.

VAOAT Achievements 1996 – 2000

• In March 1996, Colin Dell, Coordinator from Nubeena rang around the State to get volunteers to meet up and talk about their challenges. At that point in time there were Tas Ambulance Service (TAS) VAO’s, hospital ambulance officers -Scottsdale and Oatlands country hospitals and some St John Ambulance units. These units have all become AT units, retaining many of the original VAO’s. A large group of volunteers had initially met at Tarraleah on 30 March 1996.
• In May 1996, the Association was founded, one week after the Port Arthur massacre. Although planning for the inaugural meeting had been underway for months, the massacre had given impetus and camaraderie to the meeting the following Sunday. Foundation President and Treasurer Colin and Robyn Dell had attended to cases at the Port Arthur site the week before.
• First Response newsletter to all Volunteer Ambulance Officers was created. The first one was mailed to all members and stakeholders in August 1996, and has been produced quarterly, ever since, without fail. Foundation editor, Margaret Dennis continues to provide extraordinary service in this capacity.
• Website established.
• First ongoing Volunteer Educator for volunteers funded by Ambulance Tasmania (1999). By 2011 there were four Volunteer Educators.
• VAOAT has representatives on Ambulance Tasmania committees, such as fleet, equipment, uniform and OH&S.
• “More than a Band-Aid” project – a partnership between UTAS, VAOAT and TAS (now AT) defined strategies training, uniform, vehicles and support in recruiting and retaining volunteers that was funded by Emergency Management Australia. It was nation leading research, and continues to be quoted two decades later.
• 1998, Policy Statement adopted by the VAOAT focused on representing VAOs, promoting the Association, encouraging a standard of excellence, supporting principles of equality and representing that all ambulance officers – both paramedic and volunteer be identified with the wording Ambulance.
• Ambulance Tasmania strategic planning invites volunteer’s participation.
• Input – in writing and in person – to Parliamentary Inquiry into Ambulance Services.
• Development by TAS of a national, ongoing, accredited training course for volunteers, including standardised, protocol training packages.
• VAOAT is the accepted & ongoing voice for volunteers by Ambulance Tasmania management and the Tasmanian Government.

VAOAT Achievements 2001 – 2006

• Part of “Stand Up and Be Counted” national research on factors affecting Australian and & New Zealand ambulance volunteers. This was a flow-on from the More Than a Band-Aid project.
• Direct representation on the Australia Emergency Management Volunteer Forum, which looked at issues common to all emergency service volunteers
  Driver training for all volunteers, was a volunteer initiative achieved with a grant through Tasmanian Community Funds and facilitated by VAOAT
• A MegaCode Kelly manikin provided to each region, with funds from several volunteer units, VAOAT, and Tasmanian and Australian Government funding.
• Recruitment booklets developed for use by local volunteer groups.
• Ongoing improvements to vehicles and equipment, including automatic external defibrillators for all volunteer groups.
• Improvements to Uniforms, second jumpsuits available; two piece suits are an alternative for female volunteers.
• Standardised reimbursement process for out-of-pocket expenses.
• Access to Computers & e-learning for all volunteer groups.
• Two Training Seminars at Archers Manor – these preceded the Gatherings and were organised by the VAOAT, with some help from AT (formerly TAS). They were the first time that VAOs from all areas of the state were together in one room, and the sharing and networking were as valuable as the medical/ambulance information presented.

VAOAT Achievements 2007 – 2014

• Annual VAO ‘Gatherings’ commence, so volunteers can spend a funded weekend sharing experiences and learning from one another, and participate in the VAOAT AGM and General meeting. These have been held in all regions and remote parts of the state– including King Island – providing hundreds of volunteers with a weekend of fun, laughter, learning and networking.
• First ambulance volunteer on the national Volunteer Leadership Program (Wayne Doran, 2007). This is run by the Australian Emergency Management Institute with emergency services volunteers applying to attend from all over Australia.
• Keynote speech by Dianne Coon at Forum by Ambulance 2020, a grouping of the Australian College of Ambulance Professionals, Health and Community Services Union and the VAOAT.
• Recruitment website to make it easier for prospective VAOs to access information and make contact with Ambulance Tasmania.
• Recruitment DVD “Making a Difference”, VAOAT helped develop this resource and support volunteer participation in the filming. Organised the launch to media.
• Two VAOAT volunteers (Cheryl Wilson and Pat Taylor) are part of a team delivering the Australian Emergency Management Institute’s Volunteer Leadership Program. This is a national program with emergency services volunteers applying to attend from all over Australia.
• Assisted with the development of the novel “The Volunteer” written by Tasmanian resident Ro Evelyn, and organised and hosted the book’s launches. All financial proceeds are directed to the VAOAT. Although set in a fictional town, the book strives for accuracy in the depiction of the roles, activities and behaviours of rural/remote Volunteer Ambulance Officers.
• Lobbying of Politicians to ensure the Ambulance Services Amendment Act 2013 passed in the final sitting of parliament in November 2013.
• First signatories on a Joint Statement on Promoting a Positive Workplace Culture. Other signatories were Ambulance Tasmania and Health and Community Services Union (HACSU).
• Celebrated 20th Anniversary of the VAOAT.

VAOAT Achievements 2015 – 2020

• Gatherings at Campbell Town 2017, Scamander 2018, Beaconsfield 2019, (no Gathering in 2020 due to COVID-19.)
• Continuing to represent volunteer ambulance officers on the Australian Emergency Management Volunteers Forum.
• In large part due to our lobbying, the Coordinator Volunteer Strategy position was updated to Director level, as Director, Statewide Volunteer Services, and three regional Volunteer Support and Training Coordinators have been appointed, and been very active in recruiting and supporting volunteers.
  Developed regular meetings with Ambulance Tasmania senior management, including Director Statewide Services and Chief Executive.
• The Board continues to meet quarterly, (electronically during COVID-19) and has paid particular attention to governance and strategic planning.
• VAOAT is the accepted, ongoing, external voice for volunteers by Ambulance Tasmania management and the Tasmanian Government.
• Providing a combined and united voice for all volunteer units, countering prior isolation or ‘squeak wheel’ issues.
• Involvement in reviewing, negotiating and updating all Ambulance Tasmania policies and procedures which impact on volunteers (e.g. Volunteer Ambulance Officers Procedures Manual, Financial Policy, Statement of Duties, and many others).
• Promoting opportunities for volunteers to attend Leadership courses and Conferences
• Ongoing activities to increase profile of volunteers at state wide events / rural shows where volunteers demonstrate their skills.
• Proactive in securing grants and gaining on-going sponsorships.
• Development of Facebook group page as a communication tool.
• Regular meetings between VAOAT Executive and Statewide Volunteer Services commence.

VAOAT Achievements 2021 –

• Planning for Gathering in a COVID-safe manner at Ulverstone 2021 and Hobart 2022.
• Celebration of 25th Anniversary of the Association.
• Significant redevelopment of the VAOAT website.
• Drafting commenced on revised Constitution.
• Refreshing of Board Code of Conduct and new underpinning Code of Conduct Policy and position descriptions for all Board members.
• Board announcement on Statement of Integrity & Equality.
• Focus on developing VAOAT member training resources on website.
• Development of VAOAT merchandise including streetwear.