From NQ emergency to vaccination clinic traffic controller
Ron is one of those blokes you should cast in bronze – he is always there to help those in need.
Our award-winning gardener Ron Aquilina is not only a great bloke, but always willing to put his hand up and help others.
Besides his years of service in the State Emergency Service, recently 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 to receive their important vaccination.
“Throughout my earlier career I was fortunate enough to spend over 10 years working with a gentleman who couldn’t hear or speak,” Ron said.
“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, Ron 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,” Ron said.
“I have been involved in search and rescue, medivacs, recoveries, helping wildlife and assisting Queensland Water Police on a number of occasions.”
In 2013, Ron joined State Emergency Service and currently holds the rank of Senior Field Officer.
“Some of my highlights are being a Deputy Group Leader, receiving a 15 Years National Service Medal, and being part of the G20 Brisbane and the Commonwealth Games Gold Coast,” he said.
“Also 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.”
He was also part of the Rapid Response Team 1 Flood boat team to go to Port Macquarie in 2021.
Ron said 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,” he said.