Murray Bridge’s David Heard is being recognised this Volunteer Week for his unwavering dedication to his community for his 80 years with St John Ambulance.
The milestone makes him the longest serving St John Volunteer in the world.
The 91-year-old joined the Colonel Light Gardens team as a cadet in 1944, when he was still in primary school and went on to work in several roles, including Superintendent of the Murray Bridge division and treasurer of the St John Ambulance Historical Society, a role he is still in today.
One of his proud moments was creating one of the first mixed men and women’s divisions in the State in Murray Bridge after seeking permission from the Commissioner to allow three women to sign up at the men’s Murray Bridge division.
Heard also helped to set up several Hills and Murraylands ambulance services and cadet programs, including in Mannum and Tailem Bend, Karoonda and Mount Barker.
If you are interested in joining up, several local St John ambulance service stations need a hand, especially the Murray Bridge service, which Heard says is the busiest division in the state, serving Murray Bridge, Mannum, Tailem Bend and Strathalbyn.
Hear David reminiscing with ARN’s Adam Connelly and Jennie Lenman via the audio play window below:
