The first ambulance service in KV was created during the construction of the Tallowa Dam
and Hydro Power facility with combined contributions by the Metropolitan Water Sewage &
Drainage Board, Snowy Mountains Engineering Corporation and Shoalhaven Shire Council.
In May 1973, the first duty officer operated out of a caravan. By 1975 there was a
“permanent” station and residence in a second hand, demountable aluminium building. This
was materially supported over the years by the KV Ambulance Committee, Apex and Lions.
In early 1992,the NSW Ambulance Board recommended the closure of the station, due to its
low workload. It seemed that KV people were too resourceful to use the service adequately.
Robert Cochrane wrote to the Minister for Health expressing his well-reasoned concerns.
Robert’s enthusiasm lead to the formation of a committee to promote the retention of the KV
Ambulance. Three strategy options were put forward.
The option chosen in October 1992 was based on a combined Ambulance & Health Centre.
District Superintendent Kel Magrath and Paul Turnock prepared a submission. This was the
original offer by KV to provide a purpose-designed facility in return for guaranteed retention
of the KVA. It was justified by diverse, desirable health and economic outcomes and
supported by details of many other successful self-help projects undertaken in KV.
In April 1993, the Ambulance Board supported this co-facility concept. The closure was
deferred until 1995. At a meeting with senior ambulance officers on 13th August 1996, Paul was
assured KV would not lose its Ambulance service. The KV proposal had caused much interest
in the Service and was being viewed as a possible model for other remote locations, such as
Adaminaby, Henty and Urana. Further “patience” was requested as there were industrial
demarcation issues to be resolved. Robert Cochrane remained dedicated in the following
years with political lobbying and communications with the Ambulance Service.
In October 2000, the Department of Public Works and Services recommended demolishing the
existing building and replacing it with one that was purpose-designed. The following month,
Officers Jason Houlahan and Gayle Harvey were appointed to KVA to give 24 hour 7 day
coverage to the Valley.
The Director of Rural Services initiated a public meeting, which occurred on 25th January 2001, to discuss the possible new co-facility. By the third public meeting on 11th April 2001,there was unanimous support for the co-facility. Lions committed to the building construction as a community project. A general community planning committee was formed. Franz Mairinger was to lead the fundraising effort, Bruce Preston became the Building Project manager and Paul Turnock was to finalise the concept plan and write the architect’s brief. David Cox accepted a request to be the honorary architect on 9th May 2001), as did Rob Griffith as honorary engineer on 14th May 2001). Fundraising officially commenced on 10th December 2001 and by 16th May 2002, the project was approved by Council.
Jason and Gayle quit the old demountable to work out of the KVRFS premises (Jason was
succeeded by Scott Styles) and by December 2002, the site had been cleared and levelled. The
demountable that had been home to the Hassett family for 19 years and from which Officer
Russ Hassett had conscientiously served, was no more. There were years when Russ’s
willing presence was the only difference between retaining or losing the service.
Actual construction commenced on 8th December 2002. Franz continued with the huge fundraising effort. Bruce spent over 16 months sourcing materials and coordinating subcontractors and the many volunteers, as well as physically working on the complex construction.
The new Ambulance & Community Centre was opened on 22nd May 2004.
Compiled by Paul Turnock (28th June 2004)
