Pictured above: Magnetic Island OIC Kerry Dillon.
This year is turning into a major milestone for Queensland Ambulance Service’s (QAS’s) Magnetic Island Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Kerry Dillon, who is not only celebrating his 40th year in the service but is also one of three QAS paramedics to be a recipient of an Ambulance Service Medal (ASM) as part of the Australia Day 2023 Honours List.
The ASM recognises distinguished service as a member of an Australian ambulance service.
Mr Dillon is being recognised for his work as a pro-active leader contributing to grass-roots organisational change, providing coaching and mentoring to his peers to build strong relationships between QAS support teams and key community groups.
After starting his career in 1983 as an Ambulance Officer with the former Queensland Ambulance Transport Brigade, Mr Dillon was permanently appointed as an OIC in 1998 and his outstanding career has seen him undertake relieving duties as Area Manager and Regional Manager Operations Support for the Townsville District.
Mr Dillon has been the OIC at “the best place to work” – or Magnetic Island – for nearly 20 years and said the one thing he loves most is the trust everyday Queenslanders place in him during their most stressful times.
Mr Dillon said he was surprised to not only have been nominated, but also to receive the award as he feels he does the same thing all other paramedics do in their jobs.
“I enjoy this job, I love getting up in the morning, I love putting on the uniform,” he said.
“I go out and do the best I can for people, and I love the fact I can help people here and can get involved in the community.
“I’m just so pleased (and my wife’s over the moon too) that someone’s thought so highly of me,” Kerry said.
QAS Commissioner Craig Emery said Officer Dillon has seen significant change within the organisation over his four decades of service during which he has attended many multi-casualty incidents and has actively participated in several natural disasters including Cyclone Yasi and 2019 North Queensland floods.
“Officer Dillon has gone above and beyond to continue to positively influence the lives of patients with his unfailing commitment and dedication to excellence in patient care, education and training,” Mr Emery said.
“This has enabled him to provide and manage highly complex and extremely challenging incidents, in sometimes very hazardous environments.
“Officer Dillon continually performs the various duties required of a frontline ambulance officer with distinction and uses his knowledge and expertise gained through attending various complex and often challenging incidents to benefit his colleagues by providing advice and assistance when attending to members of the public.
“He has been, and remains, an exceptional role model for more junior staff and his QAS peers and has diligently served the people of Queensland for over 39 years.
“Officer Dillon is a well-respected officer of the QAS and a very deserving recipient of the Ambulance Service Medal,” he said.