2026 Ambulance Service Medals announced

Five well-regarded Ambulance Victoria (AV) personnel have been awarded Ambulance Service Medals (ASM) in this year’s National Honours.

The ASM recognises distinguished service by members of Australian ambulance services and is awarded to a select group of outstanding ambulance personnel, as nominated by their peers, each year.

The Australian Honours List acknowledges Australians for their incredible achievements, service and contribution to their communities.

Jessica Drummond, Paramedic Educator

Jessica Drummond has been a committed member of Ambulance Victoria since 2009, beginning her career in rural ambulance service at Castlemaine. Her early experience in rural communities shaped her clinical and operational approach and continues to inform her mentorship of metropolitan paramedics.

In 2015, Jessica was appointed as a Paramedic Educator at Vermont South branch, where she has consistently demonstrated leadership, clinical excellence, and a passion for education. Her engaging personality and sound clinical knowledge have made her a trusted mentor to countless graduates and colleagues.

Jessica is a long-standing Emergency Medical Response (EMR) trainer and a key contributor to strengthening partnerships with Fire Rescue Victoria and other first responders. She is also an active member of the Metro 2 Best Care Community, sharing her valuable insights to enhance patient care and clinical practice.

In 2024, Jessica took on the role of Monbulk’s Heart Safe Communities lead, spearheading a community-wide initiative to improve out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rates. Her efforts included connecting with 121 local groups, delivering over 15 training sessions, and reaching more than 500 residents with life-saving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) education. Under her leadership, Monbulk increased its AED access from one to 17 devices and tripled its GoodSAM responder rate. The community graduated as a Heart Safe Community in just eight months, well ahead of the typical two-year timeline.

Jessica’s work has had a measurable and lasting impact on both her team and the Monbulk community. Her dedication to education, innovation, and patient care has left an immeasurable impact on the Monbulk community.

Danny Elbaum, Community Emergency Response - Hatzolah

Danny Elbaum has been a steadfast and highly respected member of Ambulance Victoria for over 25 years. Known for his enduring commitment to both paramedic practice and community service, his career reflects a deep dedication to operational excellence, mentorship, and the enhancement of paramedic capability across the organisation.

Having served as the Founding Operations Manager of Chevra Hatzolah Melbourne for over 20 years, Danny’s leadership is defined by his calm composure, thoughtful approach and ability to foster trust and collaboration among colleagues. He is regularly sought out by peers for guidance on sensitive and complex matters, a testament to the respect he has earned through his integrity and professionalism. His clinical expertise and leadership in high-pressure situations have made a lasting impact on both patients and colleagues.

Danny’s contributions extend well beyond his clinical and operational duties. He is actively

involved in public education, regularly delivering sessions on CPR, first aid, and emergency preparedness to schools, community groups, and local organisations. His outreach efforts have significantly improved community awareness and resilience, reinforcing the vital role of paramedics in public health.

His mentorship has played a pivotal role in supporting new paramedics and strengthening team cohesion. As an active participant of Ambulance Victoria’s Peer Support Program, Danny offers emotional support and operational guidance to Ambulance Victoria and Community Emergency Response Teams’ responders in times of need.

Danny’s career is marked by a proactive and hands-on approach to improving paramedic practice and community outcomes. Through his work, he continues to elevate the standards of care and support within Ambulance Victoria and the broader community. His dedication to continuous improvement, inclusiveness, and patient care has created a legacy that will endure beyond his years of active service.

Steve Grove, MICA Flight Paramedic and HEMS2 Senior Team Manager

Steve Grove has been a dedicated paramedic with Ambulance Victoria for over 34 years, delivering exceptional care across both rural and metropolitan communities. His career has been defined by clinical excellence, leadership, and a deep commitment to patient outcomes. With a strong focus on evidence-based practice, Steven has continually developed his knowledge and skills, ensuring that patients benefit from the latest innovations in pre-hospital medicine.

As the Senior Team Manager of Helicopter Emergency Medical Services 2 and a practicing Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) Flight Paramedic, Steve has spent years operating in some of Victoria’s most remote and hazardous environments. His work has taken him into rugged terrain, over open seas, and through extreme weather conditions, often at night and without backup. Steve brings his advanced clinical skill, sound judgment, and unwavering commitment, which reflect his courage, resilience, and dedication to those in urgent need of care.

Beyond his operational duties, Steve has made a profound impact through community engagement, particularly in Gippsland, where he has built strong partnerships with local ambulance auxiliaries. His grassroots community-driven approach has enhanced support for emergency services and strengthened the overall capacity and resilience of Ambulance Victoria.

As a passionate mentor and educator, Steve continues to invest time and energy into developing the next generation of paramedics. His guidance has helped shape careers in MICA, air ambulance, academia, and leadership, fostering a culture of excellence and compassion across the organisation. His influence has had an incredible and lasting effect on the formation of a generation of personnel, instilling a strong sense of purpose, clinical excellence, and community responsibility.

Steve’s career reflects a rare combination of courage, innovation, and service. His contributions have strengthened Ambulance Victoria’s capacity to deliver care and have left a lasting legacy across the communities he has served.

Heather Hodgkin, Ambulance Community Officer

Heather Hodgkin has served as an ambulance community officer (ACO) with Ambulance Victoria since 2005, based at the Mitta Mitta ambulance branch. Her career spans two decades of dedicated

frontline service in one of Victoria’s most remote and challenging regions, where ACOs are often first on scene for extended periods before paramedic support arrives.

From 2013 to 2023, Ms Hodgkin held the role of ACO Team Leader, overseeing the operations of the Mitta Mitta branch team. Her leadership extended beyond administration, she was the central point of contact for her team, providing mentorship, conducting medication checks, managing vehicle and equipment logistics, and leading community engagement initiatives. Heather’s operational excellence was particularly evident during critical events such as bushfires, floods, and the COVID-19 pandemic, where she demonstrated calm leadership and unwavering support for her team and community.

Heather’s contributions extend beyond emergency response. She supports her peers and often volunteers her time to work through training assessments with new ACOs, including travelling with staff to gain confidence whilst driving the vehicle.

Embedded deeply in the Mitta Mitta Valley community, Heather regularly checks in on elderly neighbours, liaises with paramedic coordinators about patient welfare, and volunteers her time for local health initiatives. Her compassionate care for aged and palliative patients is widely recognised, including accompanying patients on their final ambulance journeys and providing support to families during emotionally difficult times. Heather’s career is a testament to compassionate service, operational excellence, and community leadership.

Rebecca Veitch, Paramedic Educator

Rebecca Veitch has been a dedicated Advanced Life Support Paramedic with Ambulance Victoria since 2000, serving the Carlton and North Melbourne communities. With a background in critical care nursing, Rebecca brought a wealth of clinical expertise to her paramedic role and quickly became a leader in education and community engagement.

As a Paramedic Educator within the Emergency Medical Response (EMR) program, Rebecca has delivered over 7,500 hours of EMR training to more than 550 firefighters through the course of her career. Her commitment to education extends to some of Victoria’s most isolated areas, where she has trained approximately 65 remote area nurses across 15 bush nursing centres. Rebecca’s educational achievements extend beyond First Responders and nurses as she plays a pivotal role in the Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) program and the GoodSAM program. She maintains strong relationships with 21 PAD sites and regularly visits locations to ensure AEDs are operational and staff are confident in their use. She supports GoodSAM by providing follow-ups, debriefings, and peer support after emergency incidents, ensuring responders feel valued and cared for.

Rebecca’s passion for empowering first responders and everyday Victorians to improve cardiac arrest survival in the communities where they live and work has been a driving force throughout her career. Her enthusiasm and ability to connect with learners has made her a standout educator.

Through these programs, Rebecca has trained, empowered, and inspired thousands of Victorians, directly contributing to the improved survival rates from cardiac arrest. Her dedication to education, community care, and frontline support has ensured that bystanders and first responders were trained and ready to provide care when it matters most.

The full list of Australian Honours and Awards recipients can be found via the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia.