Retiring last month and honoured for his long service at NSW Ambulance’s Appreciation Day Awards, Richard began as a paramedic at Bankstown Ambulance Station in 1988.
When an opening came up to join what’s now known as the aeromedical team, self-proclaimed ‘airplane nerd’ Richard jumped at the opportunity.
Initially located in a weatherboard building at Prince Henry Hospital, with the chopper based on an oval, ahead of its move to Bankstown Airport, the aeromedical team – consisting of the pilot, crewman, doctor and paramedic – often spend more time in the skies than on the ground.
Richard says he’ll never forget the night they came to the aid of four fishermen clinging by their fingernails to ‘Voodoo’ or ‘Coffin Rock’ at Kurnell.
“They heard it was a good fishing spot but there was a rising tide with a strong southerly and they just couldn’t get back,” he said.
“Luckily we were able to get to them and retrieve them. Later, the number of retrievals necessary were greatly reduced when Surf Life Saving started a campaign urging wives to ensure their fisher husbands had life jackets and migrant learn-to-swim campaigns started taking off.”
Still making retirement plans, Richard says he is looking forward to spending more time with wife Annette, his children and four grandchildren.
“I feel very grateful to have had such a rewarding career saving lives and was very humbled to receive the long service award,” he said.
