Ambulance Victoria proud of rich volunteer history

Ambulance Victoria is rich with community-minded people who volunteer their time to make a difference.

Volunteers play a crucial role supporting Ambulance Victoria’s work right across the state through Ambulance Victoria Auxiliaries, Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs), the Ambulance Historical Society of Victoria and Ambulance Victoria Chas Martin OAM Museum, Ambulance Victoria Pipes and Drums Band and as volunteer chaplains.

Ambulance Victoria Acting Metropolitan Director Regional and Clinical Operations Tarryn Whitmore said volunteers make a big impact in their communities and to the lives of Victorians.

“At Ambulance Victoria, we are very proud of our hundreds of community-minded, selfless Victorians who give their time to support the vital work of our organisation right across the state,” she said.

“This National Volunteer Week (18-24 May), we’re calling on people across Victoria who have ever thought about volunteering, to consider the life-saving impact you could have at Ambulance Victoria and make 2026 Your Year to Volunteer.

“To all our volunteers, thank you for your generosity, dedication and passion for your local community. You are the reason we have the amazing community connection, reach and impact that we do at Ambulance Victoria.”

Ambulance Victoria Auxiliaries have a proud history dating back more than 100 years and boast more than 360 volunteers across more than 40 auxiliary branches – and very welcoming of new members.

Our auxiliaries play an integral role in providing their local branches and communities with equipment and education through fundraising initiatives, in addition to raising awareness of Ambulance Victoria and the work of its people.

Since the first auxiliary was established in 1918 in Maryborough, dedicated volunteers have been behind the construction of new ambulance branches, the purchasing of towns’ first ambulance vehicles and improving facilities for local paramedics.

More recently, auxiliaries have funded new technology to enhance paramedics’ and first responders’ access to training, additional equipment for local ambulances, new public automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and more.

Ambulance Victoria Auxiliaries are located in Emerald and District, Bairnsdale, Baw Baw (Warragul and District), Grantville, Helimed 1 (Traralgon), Heyfield, Lakes Entrance, Loch Sport, Maffra, Mallacoota, Mirboo North, Orbost, Paynesville, Sale, Tambo Valley-Ensay, Traralgon, Ararat, Ballan, Beaufort, Daylesford, Edenhope, Horsham, Kaniva, Nhill, Rainbow, Warracknabeal, Charlton, Cohuna, Donald, Gisborne, Heathcote, Inglewood, Kerang, Kyneton, Maryborough, Robinvale, Rochester, Romsey-Lancefield and Woodend.

Volunteering with a CERT offers a hands-on way to give back to your community and support the emergency response of Ambulance Victoria paramedics.

A CERT member is a volunteer first responder, working in pairs for dispatch to potentially time-critical emergencies at the same time as an ambulance. They are found in less populated and remote areas of Victoria where there is a low ambulance caseload and no ambulance branch.

CERT members respond to traffic collisions, medical cases and other incidents requiring timely emergency medical care, but do not transport patients to hospital.

“Our CERTs are made up of a dedicated team of volunteers who work hard to ensure the community has the best support possible in the event of a medical emergency,” Tarryn said.

“They are caring and committed people who sacrifice their time to put their neighbours first.

“We are looking for more community members who are interested in joining a CERT and making a difference to someone’s life and health outcomes.

“CERT members are required to live within close proximity to the community they serve. No prior medical experience is necessary, as Ambulance Victoria provides all initial and ongoing training.”

There are more than 150 CERT members across Victoria. CERTs are located in Kinglake, Port Campbell, Simpson, Hawkesdale, Nullawarre, Venus Bay, Bung Yarnda (Lake Tyers), Blackwood, Dereel, Meredith, Trentham, Jeparit, Moira West, Berringa, Walwa, Yackandandah, Maldon, Birchip, Tongala and Nangiloc.

Learn more about Ambulance Victoria Auxiliaries and CERTs.