Photo by Michael Marston - Department of Emergency Services ...

Maroochydore farewells John Hall
Intensive Care Paramedic (ICP) John
Hall retired from the Queensland
Ambulance Service recently following
34 years of outstanding service.
Staff from the Maroochydore station,
the North Coast Region and the Ipswich
Area joined with John and his family
to celebrate his time with the QAS and
Queensland Ambulance Transport
Brigade (QATB).
Maroochydore ICP Tom Galvin said
John had been an inspiration to many
and his humility, dignity, compassion
and outstanding patient care was an
example and inspiration to all.
“At a time in their career when most
people are thinking of winding
down and preparing for retirement,
John started the QAS Intensive Care
Paramedic Program in 1998,” Tom said.
“With his usual calm demeanour he
once again handled this challenge
with great aptitude and worked in this
position until his retirement.
Roy calls it a day after 41 years
Four decades is a long time,
especially when you’ve worn
the same uniform the entire time.
After 41-years, QAS Patient
Transport Officer (PTO) Roy
Entermann called it a day at
the end of August.
“John mentored many students for
their final panel examinations at both
the Intensive Care and Advanced Care
level. Many officers have credited a
large part of their success at panel
exams to the practical strategies and
advice that John dispensed.
“John was naturally a quiet and
private person, and would usually
only offer his opinion if asked or he
thought it was relevant, but this advice
was always fair, thoughtful and well
considered.”
John started his career with the then
QATB in Ipswich in 1972 and was the
Deputy Superintendent until he moved
to the Sunshine Coast in 1991.
A common theme at John’s farewell
was the significant contribution that
he has made to the QAS and the
Queensland community at large.
“John had left some mighty big boots
to fill, he is the best paramedic on the
Sunshine Coast bar none,” Tom said. John Hall
Roy served as a PTO stationed at
Oxley and Kenmore in Brisbane.
Before that he was employed as a
member of the representative staff
with QATB Brisbane.
Celebrating his 70th birthday earlier
this year, Roy described his role
with the QAS providing
specialist transportation
as a daily privilege.
An informal morning tea
with presentations and
acknowledgements marked
his retirement.
In attendance were colleagues
who first worked with Roy
20 years ago. He was most
surprised however to arrive back
from his final job to find his wife
and six children there for the
occasion, to ‘escort him off the
premises’.
Roy said he had great faith in the
next generation of QAS officers.
“I am amazed at their keenness.
They really are a great bunch,”
he said.
He also acknowledged his
employer, thanking the QAS for
feeding, clothing and educating
his children, paying off his house
and holidays.
Everyone at the QAS wishes Roy
a happy retirement.
2 EMERGENCY October 2006 www.emergency.qld.gov.au