• 1st Jun 2024

A tribute to Rod Kershaw ASM, LACP, MStJohn: Inspirational leader and change-maker

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January brought with it the news of the sad passing of College Fellow and Life Member Rod Kershaw, a leader in the professionalisation of paramedicine, a force for change, and a man whose many legacies will live on for generations to come.

Much loved and respected by all throughout his 38-year career, Rod was instrumental in driving the changes that have shaped contemporary paramedic practice. As a former National Vice-President and National President of the National Council of the Institute of Ambulance Officers (Australia), the forerunner of the College, his vision, passion and commitment helped guide the services through the often turbulent years of the early 1990s as part of a cadre of forward-thinking ambulance officers who for two decades had advocated for greater professionalism.

Rod began his career in 1970 with the St John Ambulance Service and, following its split in 1992, continued with the South Australian Ambulance Service (SAAS) until his retirement in 2008. His work spanned a wide range of roles, including Ambulance Officer, Communications Supervisor, Station Officer, ALS Paramedic Station Officer, Regional Training Officer, Regional Officer, District Officer, Project Manager of Metro Capital Development, and Manager of Staff Support Service.

His extensive achievements and the respect in which he was held enabled him to develop the SAAS’s Peer Support Program which has up to 50 trained Peer Support Officers. As part of the program's development, he co-authored the presentation "Managing Personal Stressors in the Work Environment", which is presented to volunteer student ambulance officers and career student paramedics across the state and at Flinders University. The program culminated in the development of a "Personal Stress Management Plan" for each student. In the first two years following the program's introduction, SAAS experienced an 82% reduction in WorkCover trauma-related stress claims.

Rod was also a founding member and six-year president of the SA Road Trauma Support Team, during which time he established the organisation’s administration, financial and operational procedures, and developed the Community Education Program that was presented across the state in conjunction with SA Police.

As testament to his career and his character, in 1987 he was made a Member of the Order of St John, issued by Queen Elizabeth II; in 2002 he received an Award of Excellence from the Critical Incident Stress Management Foundation Australia Inc. for his outstanding contributions to the field; and in 2006, was awarded the Ambulance Service Medal. And in 2009, in recognition of his contributions to both the profession and the College, he was honoured with a College research scholarship in his name the Rod Kershaw ASM Scholarship, which supports researchers to travel internationally to undertake their chosen field of study.

Rod had an inherent ability to stay calm and carefully think through issues rather than ever jumping in with a spontaneous solution. He had a gentle but firm manner that was indicative of the very strong and courageous person that he was. In his private life, Rod was a great father and husband and a very talented jazz drummer. 

Rod will be missed by all who knew him and all he touched with his kindness, compassion and support. Vale Rod Kershaw.

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