Ron is one of those blokes you should cast in bronze – he is always there to help the less fortunate.

Most of you know our award winning gardners, and in particular the larger than life Ron Aquilina.

He is not only a great bloke, but always willing to put his hand up and help others. He was the first traffic controller at our Super Saturday Vaccination Clinic at Brighton Health Campus.

And, his talents in AUSLAN were required on the first day with a number of elderly visitors to our Brighton clinic who needed careful guidance and further assistance.

Here is what Ron has to say:

Throughout my earlier career I was fortunate enough to spend over 10 years working with a gentleman at Coca Cola who couldn’t hear or speak.

Over that period of time, I got quite good at my AUSLAN skills as well as lip reading. Every now and then it comes in handy. Doing the traffic co-ordinator role here at Brighton Health Campus, was one of those moments.

Back in 1999, I joined Marine Rescue, Sandgate and after a short period of time obtained the rank of Vessel Commander or VMR Coxswain. I then left and joined Marine Rescue Bribie Island. I was involved in patrolling the waterways of Bribie Island Passage and Bramble Bay.

I have been involved in search and rescue, medivacs, recoveries, helping wildlife and assisting Queensland Water Police on a number of occasions. My highlight was back in 2011 receiving an award from VMR Bribie for saving a fellow members life.

In 2013, I then joined State Emergency Service, and have completed a number of courses and ongoing training (eg traffic and crowd control). I currently hold the rank of Senior Field Officer.

Some of my highlights are being Deputy Group Leader, 15 Years National Service Medal, G20 Brisbane, Commonwealth Games Gold Coast, being part of the rapid response team to go to Townsville Floods, and more recently in 2021 receiving an QFES Australia Day award for Preparing and Training Flood boat operation.

Also, being part of Rapid Response Team 1 Flood boat team to go to Port Macquarie in 2021. Our duties involved rescuing and relocating the community in isolated flooded areas including an elderly lady in a wheelchair with medical conditions and who couldn’t speak English. Providing essential food and medical supplies to those in need.

For most of my life I’ve really enjoyed going out and helping the community as a whole.

Ron Aquilina