Mildura graduate paramedic begins career caring for her hometown

One of Mildura’s newest graduate paramedics has a special fan club in town – her grandparents.

Sammy grew up in Mildura so was thrilled when she landed a graduate paramedic position at Ambulance Victoria’s (AV) Irymple branch.

Her extended family lives in Mildura, but Sammy knew there would be a particular couple of relatives looking out for her on the road.

“I ran into my grandparents when I was in uniform which was a big highlight for me, as it was for them!” Sammy said.

“They were really excited and proud of me. It was really sweet.”

Sammy had her first on road shift in September and said it is special to embark on her new career in her hometown.

“I feel very privileged to come back and be here for the town I grew up in,” she said.

“We go to cases at places that I’ll have strong memories of from when I was a kid, or patients where I know them or their family members.

“That adds a special connection and I’m able to build stronger rapport which means a lot.”

Paramedicine wasn’t always on the cards for Sammy. She was working in admin and hospitality after finishing school, unsure what she wanted to do long term.

In the end, it was simply a TV show that was the turning point.

“I watched Grey’s Anatomy for the first time and I started to really like the idea of working in the medicine or healthcare field,” she said.

“After that, I volunteered at a music festival where I met some paramedics and they told me about their work and I really liked the sound of it.”

Sammy was 23 when she decided she wanted to be a paramedic, and she spent the next years studying a certificate, a diploma and then a bachelor's degree.

“I went the long way around but it’s all been worth it,” she said.

“Working in Mildura has been amazing and it is such a privilege to be invited into someone’s home in what could be one of the worst moments of their life. There are not many people who can say that’s what they do for a job.”