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YouTube - AMBULANCE SERVICE MEDAL - PATRICK DENHAM ASM
  

I commence my service with the Queensland Ambulance as a Cadet in the Queensland Ambulance Association at the age of 14 1966 but my Service as an Honorary Officer/ QAA member started when I was 16 and received my Senior first Aid Certificate on the 5th June 1968 at the Townsville QATB. Before joining the QAA as a  Cadet I was a Cadet with the St John Ambulance in Townsville.

In April 1970 I was appointed as a C grade Bearer by the Queensland Ambulance Transport Brigade Brisbane starting at the dawn Service on 25th April 1970.

I then worked as a Driver Bearer in Townsville and Gatton. In August 1980 I was appointed as the Superintendent/ Secretary to the QATB Dirranbandi and three years later promoted to the QATB Mount Morgan at the end of another 3 years I was again promoted as the Superintendent/ Secretary QATB Proserpine/ Whitsunday, while working in these Centres I was awarded my National Medal for 15 years Service and Bars and first bar for 25 years of Service.

In 1991 the State Government made the Queensland Ambulance Service a Government Department, removed the Local Committees and changed the funding arrangements. Since arriving in Bundaberg I've been awarded and Australia Day Medal and My QAS Medal. I was presented with the Dorothy Cochran Ambulance Trust Award of Merit in 1997 for Services to the Bundaberg Ambulance.

At this time all Superintendents were given the chance to reapply for the new positions within the QAS, it was at this time that I was appointed as the Officer in Charge Queensland Ambulance Service Bundaberg. From 1991 till 2008 I have relieved in the positions of Sector Coordinator, Area Manager, Group Coordinator and Manager of Community Services.

In 2006 I suffered a major heart attack and had 5 bypasses, it was at this time I realised that work 16 hour days after 38 years was now starting to knock my body around, and I should slow down.

In the 2007 Queens Birthdays Honours I was awarded the Ambulance Service Medal and believe my hard work had been rewarded and am now looking at where I will go from here.

On the 5th June I will have 40 years with the Queensland Ambulance Service. Over my 40 years I have worked with some of the most dedicated Officers you could every want to meet. Over recent years I have become concerned with some of the new breed, these few officers are in the Service as a job and just want more money and to climb up the ladder. If we can not change this trend, in 5 to 10 years the Ambulance Officer will not be the most respected profession.

I wish to thank a number of mentors I have had over the years in the Service and who have helped me reach where I'm at today.

My father Tommy Denham who started by using me as a patient in the Ayr Railway Ambulance and then had me join St John and the QAA in my youth he was my biggest Mentor and a great Ambulance Officer.

Des Condon of Townsville helped me get my first job in Brisbane, Malcolm McDonald OAM as the Superintendent of Gatton he push the staff to advance their knowledge.

To Jim Higgins who when my Assistant Commissioner we worked as a team for the Region and James McLachlan who ensured all his team worked for the Patients and the Service.

I would also like to thank the members of the Area Management Team for making the Wide Bay Burnett one of the best Area's in the State, Rick Tenthy, Gary Pratt, Kristy McAlister, Luanne Wade, Michael Chapman, Robbie Alexander, David Hutchinson and the many relief Officers who worked with the Area Management Team under Rick. It was a sad day when this team came to an end, each member of this team had skills that made the team click.

PATRICK DENHAM ASM

Ambulance Service Medal

Awarded to Patrick John Denham in the Queens Birthday Honour List in June 2007.

The Investiture took place at Government House Queensland on Friday 14th September 2007 by Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC Governor of Queensland. 

Mr Denham has served the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) with distinction and dedication in many operational and management positions for over 38 years. While serving in Bundaberg Mr Denham frequently provided support and guidance to staff at all hours of the day and night including at the scene of many high impact incidents. A most notable example of this occurred during the aftermath of the Childers Backpackers Hotel fire, when he provided support to his team for several days. His strong advocacy for his staff and community resulted in the QAS undertaking to educate and appoint some of Queensland’s first Intensive Care Paramedics to Bundaberg. All of his roles have been earmarked by successful outcomes and his commitment to staff and community. When appointed as Superintendent of the Mount Morgan Station and while continuing to provide high level clinical care, Mr Denham successfully managed the local service taking it from near bankruptcy to a strong financial position, thus enabling the purchase of new ambulance vehicles and the appointment of additional staff. Mr Denham has regularly undertaken the role of acting Area Director for the Wide Bay-Burnett Sector and often performs as the Duty Officer for the area.

The Ambulance Service Medal recognises distinguished service by the men and women of Australia’s ambulance organisations.

About the award

Along with the Emergency Services Medal, the Ambulance Service Medal was introduced into the Australian system of honours in 1999.

The Ambulance Services Medal was established on 7 July 1999 by Letters Patent.

How it is awarded

The Governor-General awards the Ambulance Service Medal on the recommendation of the responsible Commonwealth, state and territory ministers.

The medal is awarded annually as follows:

no more than one award each year for each 1000, or part of 1000, full-time permanent members of a state’s ambulance service

one award for each 5000, or part of 5000, part-time volunteers or auxiliary members in a state

one award may be made each year for ambulance members in each of the ACT, NT and the combined external territories

The awards are announced on Australia Day (26 January) and the Queen’s Birthday (June) of each year. Only one award can be made to an individual.

Medal design

The Ambulance Service Medal is circular and of silver and bronze tones. The front of the medal displays the Federation Star superimposed on a modified Maltese Cross, which is representative of ambulance services. This rests on a bed of Australian wattle.

The Federation Star is surrounded by twenty-four balls signifying the twenty-four hours per day the Ambulance Service is available to the community.

The back of the medal bears the inscription, ‘For Distinguished Service’.

Medal ribbon

The 32 millimetre-wide ribbon features a chevron or V-shaped pattern. The angles are derived from the open end of the arm of the cross. The chevrons are in alternate red, white, red, silver-grey.

Fast facts

POST NOMINAL:

ASM

It was great to have Sheryl, Jason and Tanya with me at Government House on this day.