Ambulance Victoria recruits mark 30-year anniversary of move down under

Thirty years ago, three paramedics decided to relocate from the other side of the world to work for Ambulance Victoria. The trio, all still working, have reflected on three decades of service.

Dave Millican, Nick Thresher and Brad Sanders. Picture: Mark Stewart

Three decades after making the move to Australia, three of Ambulance Victoria’s most experienced paramedics say they are as passionate as ever about the role.

Brits Nick Thresher and Dave Millican, and Canadian Brad Sanders, were among a small group of international recruits to arrive in 1990 as part of a skills shortage scheme — and all three are still working as paramedics.

Paramedic Nick Thresher, who moved over from England, pictured on his first day in 1990 outside the Doncaster ambulance headquarters.

The trio caught up this week to reflect on their milestone anniversary.

While their uniforms of short shorts and long socks have changed, the group said the essentials of the job remained the same.

Dave Millican said the shift from Devon to Melbourne was “the best decision I’ve made career-wise but also for my family.”

“It’s been a fantastic opportunity. It’s without doubt one of, if not the best ambulance service in the world,” he said.

A newspaper cutting from when Nick Thresher left the UK.

Mr Thresher, from Hertfordshire, said he was inspired to come to Australia “out of a great sense of adventure” and the job, and lifestyle, had exceeded his expectations.

“You have highs and lows in ambulance work and it’s always the people you work with that get you through those difficult times. The camaraderie here is like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. It’s the guys and girls that have kept me going,” he said. 

Mr Thresher applied for the job by post in 1989 but was initially told there were no vacancies.

Weeks later he got a call at 4am and was asked to do a phone interview. 

“My first thought was this is one of the night shift guys playing a prank on me, putting on a really good Australian accent,” he said.

“Within a minute I realised it was real so I woke my wife up and said go and make a cup of tea.”

By the time he hung up, he was filling in immigration forms and packing his bags.

Canadian Brad Sanders, who works as a MICA flight paramedic, moved to Melbourne to follow his Australian girlfriend – now wife – who he met during the 1988 Winter Olympics in his hometown of Calgary.

He said learning to drive on the opposite side of the road was one initial challenge but he joked he could always use his lights and sirens if he got mixed up.

“It’s been a great place to live and work. I’ve been really fortunate to have the career I’ve had,” he said.

“And I don’t have to shovel snow anymore.”

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