St John Ambulance Collie Station Manager Andrew Eyre was recently recognised for his high level of service and commitment to St John at an awards ceremony held at Government House.
Mr Eyre was inducted as a Member of the Order of St John, and award which recognises outstanding service to the organisation.
Mr Eyre has been part of St John since 2005, originally starting out as a volunteer in the organisation and eventually taking up training as a paramedic.
“I initially took on volunteering to improve my first aid skills because I worked as an outdoor educator in remote locations.
So by becoming an ambulance officer, I saw it as an improvement in my skills,” he said.
“After a year or two, I thought I rather like this and thought I could do it as a job.
So, I stuck it out a bit longer and I applied and got accepted in 2008.”
The paramedic said he was honoured to have received the recognition.
“I was chuffed when I found out,” he said. “I don’t do it for the rewards, I just like to give back something for nothing.”
The Collie Station Manager still volunteers regularly at the St John depot in Harvey, where he started out as a volunteer.
“I enjoy working with like minded, community orientated people who are wanting to give back,” he said.
“I’ve met some lovely people, I’ve worked in some interesting locations. I’ve had some difficult jobs but also some very rewarding jobs, and this would be one of my highlights as well, receiving this recognition.”
Mr Eyre has been Station Manager in Collie since 2014, and moved to Collie last year after 25 years in Harvey.