LAC Reviews Past 12 Months

August 27, 2025

The Kingaroy Local Ambulance Committee – the volunteer group which assists the Kingaroy QAS station with fundraising and other activities – held its Biennial General Meeting on August 19.

The office bearers remain unchanged: president Peter McLennan, vice-president Darryl Dove, secretary Kay Dove, treasurer Sharon Leach and LAC members John Box, Cr Danita Potter, Debbie Jackson, Kendall Siddans and Abigail Andersson.

Presentations were made to retiring members Christine Box (about 17 years service, 13 as secretary) and John Shaw (about nine years service).

Service pins representing 15 years service were presented to LAC members Sharon Leach and Kendall Siddans.

Mr McLennan said the “big ticket” purchase for the year was a birthing simulator mannikin for the station, supported by a grant from the Tarong Community Partnership Fund.

The Kingaroy LAC was also involved during the past 12 months in various community engagement roles, including CPR / defibrillator presentations, Snakes Alive and stroke awareness.

Nine awareness sessions were held with a total of 237 members of the public participating.

Acting Officer-In-Charge Renae Birch also shared a report which included a table of station activity:

She said there were currently 18 full-time qualified paramedics, three part-time qualified paramedics, one Indigenous Paramedic Pathway cadet, four Graduate Paramedic Internship Pathway members, two Equivalency of Qualification members (paramedics that are new to QAS but have worked as qualified paramedics in other services) and one patient transport officer.

Mei-Lin Dean is officer-in-charge but has been relieving in other QAS roles.

Activities during the year included CPR awareness courses, Under 8 Days, school visits, NAIDOC Week celebrations, Careers Market Day at Kingaroy TAFE and children’s holiday programs.

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The Biennial State Conference of Local Ambulance Committees was held in Bundaberg on August 22-25 August and was attended by more than 200 delegates from across Queensland.

Kingaroy LAC was represented by Kay and Darryl Dove who were presented with five-year badges and certificates by QAS Commissioner Craig Emery and Assistant Commissioner Peta Thompson, who heads the QAS Darling Downs & South West region which includes all South Burnett ambulance stations.

• Related article: Labour Of Love Delivers For QAS

  Health, Kingaroy