I was going through some old stuff in my office clean up last year when I found my first training manual. I was training First Aid with Rural Ambulance Victoria when I started so I sat down to read what had changed over the years. And it was a lot!

It wasn’t until sometime later that I noticed the date on the bottom of the front cover and put 2 and 2 together. It was April 2001. Making April 2022 the 21st anniversary of me teaching First Aid, much of which was Remote Area First Aid.

At the time I was working in Outdoor Adventure Leadership roles, so the courses back then centred around Bushwalkers, 4 Wheel Drivers and those generally wanting a bit more knowledge when Medical Aid isn’t so close by.

As the years progressed I felt that the people who needed the extra skills Remote Area First Aid provides are those that live and work in the bush/outback. Mostly the Agriculture sector. I’m not sure what actually drew my attention to that sector, I guess it has a ‘heart and soul of Australia’ feel to the work they do. There are so many unique aspects to the work environment and all the risks that go with it. Combined with the interaction with distant Medical Aid, such as RFDS, Careflight, Lifeflight, etc. it becomes a fascinating training environment.

At about the same time a mate invited me to join him on his work trip. He specialised in providing First Aid to outback cattle station properties. I didn’t need to be asked twice. That was at the end of 2016. My first trip began in 2017.

I now own the company and it has grown considerably. I love what I do and the people I meet. I love travelling the Australia but particularly the outback. The initial 2022 trip will be approximately 21,000kms. There is a second and most likely a third to come.

We now have customers in every state in Australia and the Northern Territory. I have the best job in the world!

Thank you to everyone who makes it all possible: My valued customers. My family. I hope I will be delivering training to you all for some time yet.

If you would like more information about what we do or any other topics, purchase any First Aid stock or equipment, or to book a Remote Area First Aid course, please contact us on 0491 057 339 or email info@ruralandremotefirstaid.com.au

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