Historian John MacFarlane firmly believes important milestones, especially those in the Hunter, need to be acknowledged.
It’s one of the reasons he’s focused on making sure as many people as possible are aware the Newcastle District Ambulance service is commemorating its 100th anniversary on Monday 2 August.
As a history buff, and a former “ambo”, the centenary boasts special significance to not only himself, but the community as well.
“It has a lot of meaning for me knowing we’ve reached this occasion,” he said.
“But, unfortunately, these achievements don’t seem to be celebrated much these days – that’s what is disappointing about it.
“However, it’s a profession to be proud of.
“And, that’s what we should recognise.”
In 1921, in a converted shop and dwelling at No. 9 Hunter Street, the newly-formed Newcastle District Ambulance began operations.
A few months earlier, a provisional committee – comprising of Aldermen Kilgour, Gibson and Grahame, along with Messrs Bearby, Zillman, Gray, Glassop and government medical officer Dr Dick – applied to the NSW Ambulance board for a loan for the purpose of starting a service in the City.
This was successful and a cheque for 225 pounds ($450) was received.
On 9 June, applications for a Superintendent were called, with 24 being received.
From this list, James Dolan from Rockhampton was chosen, to be joined by two bearers – H. Hamer (a driver from Newcastle hospital) and H. Guy (a driver from Scotts Ltd).
The latter would go on to be the first Superintendent of Maitland Ambulance in 1924.
Newcastle’s fleet consisted of two vehicles, which were handed over from the local hospital: a Renault and a Dodge.
According to Mr MacFarlane, they were not of Mr Dolan’s liking, so he replaced them with Buicks.
He also advised the committee against spending too much money on the present premises as they would need a larger facility in the near future.
He was spot on.
On 8 December 1923, the service moved into its new building, in Denison Street, Hamilton, where it remains today.
“My interest began when I was asked to give a talk at the Newcastle Historical Society by my mother-in-law, who was the secretary,” said Mr MacFarlane, a historian for the Hunter Ambulance Retired Employees Association for the past two decades.
“So, I thought of a bright spark idea – I’ll go up to the library and I’ll find all the information I want.
“When I went there, they had one book and two paper cuttings [on the Newcastle District Ambulance].
“That’s what kicked it all off.
“And, ever since 1976, I’ve been doing that [research].
“I was an ambo – I’m proud of our local history and, particularly, the service in Newcastle.
“I found, over the years, many records were destroyed or lost.
“So, it’s been my passion to rectify that where I could.”
The Newcastle District Ambulance opened with little funds but, by October 1921, there were some 10,000 contributors paying one penny (a cent) a week.
Industrial donations proved to be the main source of revenue, which enabled the service to purchase another Buick within three months.
This vehicle cost 803 pounds and was built by local firm, Gilbert Brothers.
Over the years, the Newcastle branch was instrumental in the expansion of the ambulance service in an area stretching from the Hawkesbury in the south to the Manning in the north.
In 1923-24, it assisted – behind the scenes – in the establishment of Maitland District and then, in 1928, a sub-station was opened in the Erina shire to tend the Gosford region.
In 1934, a similar structure surfaced at Taree, which became a separate district six years later.
Then, in 1937, a sub-station at Cessnock was launched and operated until 1943 when it also became a separate district.
“It can be seen Newcastle District played a vital role in the expansion of the ambulance service in NSW,” Mr MacFarlane said.
“In 1963, the Hunter District Ambulance Service was created with the amalgamation of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland and Cessnock-Kurri districts.
“The Hamilton Ambulance Station became the headquarters [for this service], which is remains to this day.”
While the “local landscape” has changed over the past century, Mr MacFarlane feels the “technicality” of the service is the big difference.
“It used to be just ‘load and go’, so to speak,” he told the Newcastle Weekly.
“But, the expertise of the officers is incredible to the point they’re now called paramedics these days – their clinical skills are more advanced.
“They do an incredible job, in testing situations, and certainly deserve high praise.
“It’s not easy either – society has changed as well, which causes a problem or two.
“People often see a uniform as ‘authority’, so the respect isn’t there as much.
“However, I don’t think they have an idea of the amount of training the staff undertake.
“We just learnt basic first aid, that was it.
“Then they established an ambulance school in Sydney – everything evolved from there.
“And, I couldn’t be prouder.”
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