July 17, 2017
South Burnett First Aid Volunteers Inc, a not-for-profit group set up by Murgon paramedic Grant Geddes last year, now has a permanent home thanks to a generous donation by the Murgon Girl Guides.
The Guides have handed over their former meeting hall in Macalister Street, Murgon, for use as a training area by the volunteers.
The State Government has also transferred the lease of the land to the group, and the South Burnett Regional Council has signed off on the transfer.
A small ceremony was held at the meeting hall on Thursday night to mark the opening of the facility.
Members watched as Deputy Mayor Kathy Duff and Cr Roz Frohloff cut a bandage to signify the opening.
Grant said the volunteers had been busy providing first aid services at local community events, including the Goomeri Pumpkin Festival and the recent Abbey Medieval Festival in Caboolture.
“Sixty something patients came through the doors at the Abbey Festival, although many of these were just requests for Panadols,” Grant said.
“At the Pumpkin Festival only about 20 patients came through.”
Grant also thanked Council for the donation of four digital UHF hand-held radios, which means the volunteers can speak to each other on their own channel and not be overhead by other listeners.
Cr Roz Frohloff, a former paramedic herself, has been named Patron of the new group.
She said the first aid volunteers were “an absolute necessity” in the South Burnett.
“We need more volunteers like this to get out and help in the community,” she said.
Deputy Mayor Kathy Duff congratulated Grant and everyone involved in the volunteer group.
“If anyone believes in community, it is Grant,” she said.
The volunteers will be assisted financially by First Aid Training and Services (FAIS), a South Burnett-based business which also offers services in Gympie and the Sunshine Coast and has associated volunteer groups.
FAIS runs commercial first aid courses and sells first aid equipment.
