A LOCAL ambulance officer has been recognised from the highest quarters, receiving one of the state’s most prestigious awards during National Volunteer Week.
Valerie Hammat was awarded the Premier’s Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Volunteer Service for her commitment and engagement with communities in the Barossa and Adelaide Hills areas.
Ms Hammat is the SA Ambulance Service (SAAS) volunteer training co-ordinator for Hamley Bridge.
During her time with SAAS she has helped numerous volunteer students to progress through their courses, which has meant improved roster coverage and sustained volunteering in the Adelaide Plains.
In the last year, Ms Hammat was rostered on shifts for 1153 hours, more than tripling SAAS’s volunteer expectations.
Ms Hammat spoke about how volunteering with SAAS had changed her life significantly over the past 17 years.
“I love being a SAAS volunteer, it’s incredibly rewarding to be able to help others and make a difference in the community,” she said.
“Being part of SAAS has been instrumental for me getting to know the people in the local community. I have made so many good friends who have supported me over the years and a big thank you has to go to my husband, Ron.
“I couldn’t do what I do, or be who I am, without my team.”
Executive director of operations (country) and rescue retrieval and aviation services, Julia Waddington-Powell, highlighted how valuable the efforts are from volunteers.
“National Volunteer Week is a time for all of us to thank our volunteers for their incredible bravery, selflessness and community spirit,” she said.
“Ambulance services in regional and remote South Australia rely on volunteers from the local area to provide exceptional care when our communities need it the most.
“With every incident attended, SAAS volunteers positively change the lives of those within their community, ensuring they stay healthy and protected.
“We are in unexpected and uncertain times, and I would like to especially commend our volunteers for their extraordinary efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Due to COVID-19 social distancing guidelines, National Volunteer Week events for SAAS volunteers were postponed.