Wayne Sachs marks 50 years in the Queensland Ambulance Service

It has not been an easy year for Gympie’s favourite paramedic, but Wayne Sachs on Wednesday marked 50 years in the job he loves and excels at, and his achievement has not gone unnoticed.

Long serving Gympie ambulance Officer In Charge Wayne Sachs on Wednesday, August 22, 2024, marked an incredible 50 years in the job.

Long serving Gympie ambulance Officer In Charge Wayne Sachs on Wednesday marked an incredible 50 years in the job.

Well known to many not only through his dedication as a paramedic and officer in charge, but also a former Gympie councillor and volunteer in many organisations, Mr Sachs is well respected by his peers and the community.

“Today, 22 August 2024, marks a remarkable 50 years of service for one of the Queensland Ambulance Service’s finest officers, Wayne Sachs,” a QAS statement on his achievement read.

“Wayne was appointed as an Honorary Ambulance Officer at Gympie on 22 August 1974, when he was just 18 years old, before becoming a Driver Bearer at Gympie in June 1978.

Long serving Gympie ambulance Officer In Charge Wayne Sachs on Wednesday marked an incredible 50 years in the job.

“He has also served in Redlands, Caboolture, Maryborough, Proston, Mundubbera, before becoming Officer in Charge at Childers and then Cooroy. Wayne later returned to Gympie in 1995, where he remains OIC today.

“During his career, Wayne has been recognised for a national Ambulance Service Medal (ASM) which he received in 2022 and went on to receive an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in June 2023.

“Born and bred in Gympie, Wayne has always had a special passion for his community, illustrated through his commitment as a paramedic, and various volunteer roles with Gympie Meals on Wheels, and Gympie and District Historical Society.

“Wayne is the second Gympie ambulance officer to achieve this milestone since the inception of the ambulance service in the region 122 years ago.

Former Gympie Regional Council Mayor Mick Curran congratulates Wayne Saches at the 2020 Australia Day Awards (Ambulance Service Medal recipient).

“Superintendent and Officer in Charge Lewis Harder Dean was the longest-serving officer, who served for 55 years.

“Spending most of his career in Gympie, Cooroy, and Childers, Wayne has attended cases of all kinds, but the most common and memorable are the large number of road traffic crashes, due to the proximity of major roads, such as the Bruce Highway.”

“I’ve seen my fair share of road trauma, that’s for sure”, the veteran paramedic said.

“As the senior officer at road traffic crashes, my role has been more focussed on the coordination of QAS staff along with other emergency services, and liaison with the Communications Centre to ensure adequate ambulance resourcing is managed.

“But most importantly, I aim to provide support to my colleagues and to the stricken victims, particularly at traumatic scenes.”

Sunshine Coast District Director Hayley Salethorne said Mr Sachs continued to be a valued member of the QAS family.

“Wayne is well respected by his peers and has provided support and mentoring to many over his years of service,” Ms Salethorne said.

Officers in Charge Wayne Sachs (1995 - current) and his predecessor Ronald Lawrence (1991-1993)

“He is a well known and loved member of the Gympie community for his service to the region, has a passion for QAS heritage and is an advocate for patient safety.”

Wayne has dedicated his life to the service, and said it always was and continued to be a team effort, working alongside colleagues from the QAS, fellow emergency services and hospital staff.

“At the end of the day all I have ever done is my job, or tried to,” he said.

“This is not just a job to me; I have a passion for the role, looking after people, and what I can contribute to my community.

“Importantly, I want to acknowledge my late wife Susie and our daughters Lauren and Claire for their support over all of these years.”

Congratulations to Wayne from The Gympie Times. A truly outstanding person and an asset to our community.