Corryong locals honoured at recent awards

Two Corryong locals were celebrated at the recent Hume Staff Recognition Awards, taking home titles for their years of outstanding service providing pre-hospital health care and education to the community.

Advanced Life Support (ALS) paramedic Marita Harrison received her 20-year service medal, while Ambulance Community Officer (ACO) Lisa Pilli was awarded the title of Outstanding First Responder – Community Excellence.

Marita started her Ambulance Victoria (AV) career as an ACO at the Corryong branch, and after being offered an AV supported scholarship, became a fully qualified paramedic based at Wodonga.

However, it wasn’t long before she returned to her hometown of Corryong where she remains to this day, driven by her goal of providing exceptional patient care to her local area.

“This is the best job in the world, there’s no better feeling than being able to give back to your community,” Marita said.

“I love being that familiar face who is there for the good moments, like delivering babies, and the hard moments when family members need support and someone to hold their hand.

“The transition from ACO to qualified paramedic was challenging but even after 20 years I love what I do.”

While the last two decades have held many special moments for Marita, some of her highlights include receiving the Rod Moore Memorial Award, the National Service Medal and National Emergency Medal.

Marita has also been involved in AV’s Peer Support Program for the past eight years and loves that it means her role at AV allows her to support her community and colleagues.

Lisa has been a First Responder at AV for the past 13 years and has gained a reputation for being a driving force for community health education, with her leading many Call, Push, Shock cardiac arrest messaging sessions across town.

Recently, she also led Corryong through the lifesaving Heart Safe Communities Program, which teaches locals how to do cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use an automated external defibrillator (AED) to help someone in cardiac arrest before paramedics arrive.

Since joining the ACO team, Lisa has responded to a variety of cases, taking pride in putting on the AV uniform and showing up to help members of her community when they need her most.

“When we attend someone’s worst day, we see first-hand the comfort they feel when a local in uniform walks in the door with their AV team,” Lisa said.

“First Responders have local knowledge that is priceless and are often deeply trusted within their communities.

“In the ACO role, I personally work hard to be the very best right hand to the on-shift paramedic, while also communicating with the patient and providing continual positive feedback.”

Hume Acting Area Manager Des Cummins said both Marita and Lisa were very deserving award recipients who have given so much back to the Corryong area.

“The Staff Recognition Awards are an opportunity to identify and recognise individuals in the region for their contribution, professionalism and commitment to providing best care to every patient,” he said.

“Both Lisa and Marita demonstrate the significant impact our people have on our regional communities and the heart it takes to do this job every single day.

“I congratulate them both on their outstanding achievements and commend them for the passion and positivity they bring to the organisation.”