ambulance

At a meeting held in the Bundaberg Council Chambers on Friday 6 June 1907 under the presidency of the Mayor, Ald A.E. Avenell it was decided to ascertain the views of the principal residents regarding the advisability of requesting the QATB State Executive Committee to open a Branch Centre in Bundaberg. From 29 August to 31 December 1907 officers attended to 120 patients and travelled 169 miles. The honorary staff performed 346 hours of duty. The first patient treated in the casualty room was Thos Pritchard who had sustained a puncture wound in the palm of his left hand while opening an oyster. The first ‘call out’ was in response to a request from a police officer. However, upon arrival at the Railway Station, it was found that the Brigade’s services were not required. The first donation received was from H.A. Skyring and Sons and the first contributor was Mr H.S. Skyring. The next step of progress was in 1912 when a four-wheel ambulance field wagon pulled by two horses and complete with two stretchers was acquired. The splendid service of the QATB by this time had been worthily recognized by the public of Bundaberg and the district with their most generous financial support to the extent that the Committee in 1912 decided to build a new Centre on land that had been acquired in Maryborough Street. Source: www.ambulance.qld.gov.au/docs/history/Bundaberg.pdf

The Mount Isa Ambulance was established in 1924 by Mr W.E.A. (Archie) Jones. The service was known as the Mount Isa Ambulance Transport Brigade was not at that time affiliated with the Queensland Ambulance Transport Brigade (QATB). The The ambulance building was an iron shed located near the site of the present premises. There was just sufficient room for Superintendent Jones to camp because the shed had to serve for dressings and casualties, and the lean-to beside it provided the ambulance vehicle bay. The Centre acquired its first car in 1925. As there was no Hospital in Mount Isa, all hospital cases had to be taken to Cloncurry. Prior to the purchase of its own vehicle, the Centre had managed by hiring a car, truck or anything available, from a local resident and transporting the patient to Duchess. It was a proud day when, in December 1930, the new timber building was officially opened. Although unpainted, it was considered at that time to be one of the best buildings in the district. It had a septic system and running water (unlike many homes in Mount Isa at that time) but at that stage did not have electric power. During the 1939-40 financial year, some extensions were made to the building and a permanent bearer was appointed to assist the Superintendent. Mr Jones, therefore, had operated a one-man centre for 15 years. Source: www.ambulance.qld.gov.au/docs/history/Mount-Isa.pdf

There are about six pictures of the Unitrol siren in the collection: