Ambulance Victoria paramedic Stephen Aitken combines his full-time career with volunteering with the St John Ambulance
service. He has been honoured for his efforts with a Premier’s Volunteer Champion Award. He talks to Adem Saban.
What do you love most about life in Wyndham?
I live in the central part of Werribee and love being able to just walk up to shops, cafés, banks and the post office. I also live close enough to walk to work.
Tell me about your volunteer work with St John Ambulance.
I’m currently acting manager at the Wyndham St John Ambulance division. I look after and train about 30 adults and 25 children in the cadet section. I’m also training staff to take over from me. We do many events for the Wyndham council and Werribee Park, events at the national equestrian centre and local festivals.
What sort of things have you been involved in over the years?
I’ve offered my services at Moomba, the Melbourne Cup, many bushfires including being deployed interstate, the Black Saturday fires and more.
What is the most rewarding part of your role?
I make a difference and help people when they most need it. I get to see people learn new skills that help the community. St John is also very social – I met my wife there.
What do you do in your spare time?
I have very little spare time. My wife and I run a small business in Werribee employing two other staff. I work full-time for the ambulance service as a paramedic and do some nursing shifts at the local hospital. What time is left, I just like sitting around watching some television or reading a book.
What advice would you give to others looking to volunteer their time?
St John is great to get involved in if you want to volunteer.
It’s social, you learn new skills such as first aid, and you can use these skills at work and at home.
You get to go to different places and meet different people you may not normally meet. It also improves your social and communication skills, and you get to go to concerts, festivals and the football!
