David Heard breaks world record after 80 years as St John Ambulance volunteer

At 91, veteran volunteer David Heard says he might get a little more tired now but he’s got no plans to slow down.

The world’s longest serving ambo volunteer David Heard, 91, with his adoring granddaughter Emily, also a volunteer. Picture: Dean Martin

Murray Bridge nonagenarian David Heard is being celebrated as the world’s longest serving St John volunteer.

The 91-year-old farmer has been helping at the emergency medical service for 80 years, first signing up as a cadet at the Colonel Light Gardens branch in April, 1944, while in primary school.

Now a great-grandfather, Mr Heard says he has no plans to hang up his uniform anytime soon.

“I might get tired but I’m not retiring … (besides) I’m still learning,” the St John Ambulance Historical Society treasurer said.

David Heard as a young volunteer met the Duke of Edinburgh, on a visit to South Australia. Picture: supplied

Aged 91, David Heard is being celebrated as the world’s longest-serving ambo volunteer. Picture: Dean Martin

“I’ve certainly made a lot of friends over the years – that’s the thing about volunteering, you meet good people.”

In the early years Mr Heard delivered first aid alongside adult volunteers at events including harness racing, picnics, football and the Christmas pageant.

But being a part of Victory in the Pacific Day, in 1945, remains a standout memory.

“I was on duty as a cadet and we went into the town on the corner of King William Street and North Terrace,” Mr Heard, who attended Urrbrae Agricultural for high school, said.

“People were cheering and hugging and kissing – they were crammed in. I’ve never seen anything like it since.”

In 1950, Mr Heard began volunteer ambulance work on Friday and Saturday nights which included attending vehicle crashes and accidents.

“We saw some bad things and we would go back to the station and have a talk about it,” he said.

David Heard, 91, is being celebrated as world’s longest-serving volunteer, a passion he has passed on to daughter Lorna Hawke and granddaughter, Emily. Picture: Dean Martin

He said he had learnt life skills through his volunteering work, recalling how he once stopped to help a passenger injured in a car accident by using his hanky to bandage her bleeding knee.

“A week or so later she sent it back to me in the post, freshly laundered and ironed thanking me for my help,” he said.

The fit and spritely Mr Heard who drove himself to Adelaide for the photo-shoot said he was proud his family had followed in his footsteps with each of his children and many of his grandkids also volunteering for the ambulance service, including daughter Lorna Hawke and granddaughter, Emily.

St John Ambulance SA CEO Mark Groote, speaking on the eve of National Volunteer Week, paid tribute to Mr Heard.

“St John volunteers are among the most special, skilled and selfless people in our community … whether it be providing health and medical services, event support, community care, youth programs, supporting the historical society, or the band, their contribution is exceptional and significant,” he said.

“(Mr Heard) is the epitome of service.”