• 21st Jun 2023

Peter Skinner

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My period of service spanned 28 years, from 12 July 1971 to 18 July 1999. I commenced my ambulance career in July 1971 with a St John First Aid Certificate and a commitment to undertake the studies required to gain the AOII Certificate. During this first six-month period, I worked day shift as a Day Hospital Transport Attendant and (when possible) ambulance patient transport with a qualified officer. During this period, I undertook the required studies (both on duty and at home), and to gain additional experience I volunteered to work with the afternoon shift officer two evenings per week.

It would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the encouragement and support extended to me by all levels of Ballarat and District Ambulance Service (BDAS) team (Station Officers, Ambulance Officers and Committee of Management members) during this very early time in my development.

During the following years, the BDAS provided every opportunity for me to gain further clinical knowledge, experience and qualifications. I was an enthusiastic participant, taking every opportunity to attend the ASV Victoria Training Facilities: (1) “The Mayfield Centre” (commenced late-1960s); (2) “The Vale Street Centre” (commenced March 1977); (3) “The Queens Rd Ambulance Officer Training Centre” (1987–1999) - during this period I had the privilege of receiving instruction and guidance from some notable clinical educators - Dr Rick Bouvier, Jock Berry, Tom Pammenter and Dr Frank Archer, to name a few.

In addition to the above, I was given the opportunity to attend Management and Quality Systems Training via the Hawthorn Institute and P-E BATALAS (State Training Board) and a tertiary qualification from Monash University, an Associate Diploma of Business (General Administration).

Early in my career, I learnt that the Ballarat and District Ambulance Service, was one of 16 Regional Services in Victoria each with a Committee of Management drawn from the local community. This structure had evolved under the guidance of the Hospital and Charities Commission in the 1950s.

This structure remained until around 1988 when ASV was restructured into five Regional Services. At this time, the BDAS and Wimmera districts were amalgamated to become the Western Region, and I was fortunate to gain the position of Regional Training Officer. The Victorian AS was again restructured in 1999, at which time I failed to gain the position I sought and retired to follow a new career path.

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