1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:03,080 Speaker 1: We know that. Saint John NT held its Night of 2 00:00:03,200 --> 00:00:07,360 Speaker 1: Nights recognizing staff who've touched the lives of Territorians providing 3 00:00:07,400 --> 00:00:12,479 Speaker 1: life saving medical assistance, education and support. The winners of 4 00:00:12,520 --> 00:00:15,120 Speaker 1: the twenty twenty four Excellence Awards were announced at a 5 00:00:15,160 --> 00:00:21,040 Speaker 1: special event, with paramedics, emergency medical dispatches, patient transport offices 6 00:00:21,200 --> 00:00:25,520 Speaker 1: and volunteers all recognized. Now joining me on the line 7 00:00:25,800 --> 00:00:31,080 Speaker 1: is the Northern Territories Paramedic of the Year, Turrier Dick, 8 00:00:31,280 --> 00:00:34,800 Speaker 1: who is known as Taz. Good morning, Taz, how are. 9 00:00:34,640 --> 00:00:36,440 Speaker 2: You good morning? Really well? 10 00:00:36,479 --> 00:00:38,760 Speaker 1: Thank you, Oh, it's lovely to have you on the show. 11 00:00:38,800 --> 00:00:41,960 Speaker 2: Congratulations, Thank you so much. 12 00:00:42,000 --> 00:00:42,239 Speaker 1: It was. 13 00:00:42,560 --> 00:00:45,599 Speaker 2: It was a very unexpected highlight for me last night. 14 00:00:45,640 --> 00:00:48,479 Speaker 2: I was just absolutely not expecting it. A lot of 15 00:00:48,520 --> 00:00:52,080 Speaker 2: other people were great nominees and I think you're worthy 16 00:00:52,080 --> 00:00:56,400 Speaker 2: winners also, but very humble to achieve their award. 17 00:00:57,120 --> 00:01:01,520 Speaker 1: Taz NT Paramedic of the Year. What was it like 18 00:01:01,600 --> 00:01:05,360 Speaker 1: when you heard your name get called out? 19 00:01:05,000 --> 00:01:08,840 Speaker 2: I didn't, honestly, I just I couldn't believe it. There 20 00:01:08,920 --> 00:01:11,880 Speaker 2: wasn't an expectation for me, and yeah, I was very 21 00:01:12,120 --> 00:01:14,080 Speaker 2: very shocked and surprised. I suppose. 22 00:01:14,160 --> 00:01:17,240 Speaker 1: Yeah, now I understand you're based in Alice Springs. How 23 00:01:17,240 --> 00:01:18,520 Speaker 1: long have you been a paramedic. 24 00:01:20,360 --> 00:01:26,040 Speaker 2: I've been in a paramedic for fourteen years now. But yeah, 25 00:01:26,080 --> 00:01:28,560 Speaker 2: I just yeah, I really enjoy Alice Springs. I think 26 00:01:28,560 --> 00:01:32,600 Speaker 2: it's a great place, got a lot going for it, definitely. 27 00:01:33,200 --> 00:01:35,080 Speaker 1: What is it about your job that you love? 28 00:01:36,840 --> 00:01:39,039 Speaker 2: I guess you know, we've got no two days that 29 00:01:39,080 --> 00:01:42,360 Speaker 2: are the same. I think that's that's something that's really important, 30 00:01:43,680 --> 00:01:46,800 Speaker 2: you know, the sense of achievement, you know, for doing 31 00:01:46,840 --> 00:01:52,840 Speaker 2: those you know, sometimes life saving interventions, but also just 32 00:01:53,040 --> 00:01:56,320 Speaker 2: stopping and listening to people, you know. I think, you know, 33 00:01:56,400 --> 00:01:59,040 Speaker 2: sometimes when we just sit and listen to people when 34 00:01:59,040 --> 00:02:03,040 Speaker 2: they're in the darkest times, it can just make a 35 00:02:03,080 --> 00:02:06,720 Speaker 2: huge difference to those people, just by simply listening and 36 00:02:06,800 --> 00:02:11,360 Speaker 2: hearing their story. Yeah, I think that that's a I 37 00:02:11,360 --> 00:02:13,400 Speaker 2: think that makes a big difference to some people. 38 00:02:13,840 --> 00:02:16,840 Speaker 1: Yeah, Now, what are some of them more? I mean, 39 00:02:17,000 --> 00:02:21,360 Speaker 1: thirteen years as a paramedic, it's it's a long time. 40 00:02:21,400 --> 00:02:25,840 Speaker 1: You must have had some very interesting experience. I was, 41 00:02:26,080 --> 00:02:28,680 Speaker 1: I would imagine over that time. Tell me about some 42 00:02:28,760 --> 00:02:31,360 Speaker 1: of the standout situations that you've sort of been in, 43 00:02:31,440 --> 00:02:34,760 Speaker 1: whether they're more difficult ones, whether they're you know, more 44 00:02:35,160 --> 00:02:38,080 Speaker 1: funny ones. I'm sure that there'd be a lot that 45 00:02:38,160 --> 00:02:40,120 Speaker 1: you've had happen over that period. 46 00:02:41,280 --> 00:02:44,600 Speaker 2: I guess there's there's really some amazing stories, you know, 47 00:02:46,200 --> 00:02:48,840 Speaker 2: I guess the most, you know, probably the most exciting 48 00:02:48,840 --> 00:02:52,840 Speaker 2: one is always, you know, welcoming new babies into the world. 49 00:02:52,919 --> 00:02:55,440 Speaker 2: You know, that's to be part of that is really 50 00:02:55,440 --> 00:02:59,320 Speaker 2: really special. And to be with people at their very 51 00:02:59,440 --> 00:03:02,040 Speaker 2: last the very last times of their life as well, 52 00:03:02,080 --> 00:03:04,560 Speaker 2: you know, to to be with people that are that 53 00:03:04,600 --> 00:03:08,080 Speaker 2: are passing away and they're aware of it, and just 54 00:03:08,120 --> 00:03:11,800 Speaker 2: to be with them and to you know, sometimes just 55 00:03:11,880 --> 00:03:15,680 Speaker 2: hold their hands, I think is also an amazing honors. 56 00:03:15,720 --> 00:03:18,040 Speaker 1: That must mean a lot to their families as well, 57 00:03:18,160 --> 00:03:20,360 Speaker 1: that they're not alone and that they've got someone like 58 00:03:20,440 --> 00:03:23,080 Speaker 1: you who is caring for them at that moment. 59 00:03:25,639 --> 00:03:30,480 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think so. Yeah, I think, you know, just 60 00:03:30,520 --> 00:03:33,760 Speaker 2: being just being there for people is make a difference 61 00:03:33,760 --> 00:03:34,240 Speaker 2: to people. 62 00:03:34,560 --> 00:03:37,920 Speaker 1: Yeah, oh, most certainly, would you know, I can't even 63 00:03:37,920 --> 00:03:40,800 Speaker 1: begin to imagine. And I you guys are like angels 64 00:03:40,840 --> 00:03:44,119 Speaker 1: really in every aspect of what you do. I mean, 65 00:03:44,160 --> 00:03:46,400 Speaker 1: you're there for people, Like you said, some of those 66 00:03:46,480 --> 00:03:49,440 Speaker 1: moments where a baby might be being delivered, which would 67 00:03:49,440 --> 00:03:51,800 Speaker 1: be a beautiful moment, but all some of those also, 68 00:03:51,880 --> 00:03:54,280 Speaker 1: some of those moments where people are really at their 69 00:03:54,320 --> 00:03:57,320 Speaker 1: lowest and they need someone like you to you know, 70 00:03:57,440 --> 00:03:58,440 Speaker 1: to help them through. 71 00:03:59,720 --> 00:04:05,120 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, definitely. Yeah, just being there for people, I 72 00:04:05,120 --> 00:04:09,160 Speaker 2: think it is a huge, huge thing, certainly for places 73 00:04:09,200 --> 00:04:11,400 Speaker 2: that are remote like Alice Springs. You know, I think 74 00:04:12,400 --> 00:04:16,760 Speaker 2: we're really lucky down here because certainly I think with 75 00:04:16,880 --> 00:04:20,560 Speaker 2: Alice Springs and Tenet Creek as well, because it's such 76 00:04:20,600 --> 00:04:24,279 Speaker 2: a transient place. There's not a lot of people that 77 00:04:24,360 --> 00:04:27,880 Speaker 2: have family here, so the people that come into our 78 00:04:27,960 --> 00:04:32,840 Speaker 2: place become like family for us. We all rely on 79 00:04:32,880 --> 00:04:35,520 Speaker 2: each other. We've got a heavy dependence on each other. 80 00:04:37,320 --> 00:04:40,960 Speaker 2: Our interns and paramedics are also exposed to things that 81 00:04:41,040 --> 00:04:44,080 Speaker 2: in bigger places they wouldn't nest necessarily be exposed to. 82 00:04:44,200 --> 00:04:48,920 Speaker 2: So there's great opportunity for learning. So to have that 83 00:04:49,040 --> 00:04:54,599 Speaker 2: I think is pretty amazing as well. Yeah, I think 84 00:04:54,640 --> 00:04:57,640 Speaker 2: that that's, you know, just relying on each other. Having 85 00:04:57,680 --> 00:05:01,080 Speaker 2: all of those things together make a huge Yeah, in 86 00:05:01,640 --> 00:05:02,919 Speaker 2: those remote locations. 87 00:05:03,839 --> 00:05:06,200 Speaker 1: Tas, what's the team that you worked with, what are 88 00:05:06,240 --> 00:05:08,720 Speaker 1: they saying about you being the Paramedic of the Year. 89 00:05:09,640 --> 00:05:12,680 Speaker 2: Oh, I haven't been to work yet, but the guys 90 00:05:12,680 --> 00:05:16,040 Speaker 2: on the plane today are very much congratulatory to you. 91 00:05:17,040 --> 00:05:21,800 Speaker 2: But I'm not one for being out there and loving 92 00:05:21,839 --> 00:05:25,600 Speaker 2: that life, and I'm happy to sit in the back. 93 00:05:26,160 --> 00:05:27,000 Speaker 2: And that's okay. 94 00:05:27,400 --> 00:05:30,640 Speaker 1: You know what, That's probably why you've been recognized as well, 95 00:05:30,680 --> 00:05:33,800 Speaker 1: because you're so humble. Just by the conversation that you 96 00:05:33,839 --> 00:05:35,560 Speaker 1: and I are having, I can tell that you are 97 00:05:35,600 --> 00:05:36,880 Speaker 1: a very humble person. 98 00:05:39,040 --> 00:05:43,960 Speaker 2: I'm not sure about that, just struggle a little bit 99 00:05:43,960 --> 00:05:46,560 Speaker 2: with Yeah, the recognition is probably not my. 100 00:05:46,640 --> 00:05:49,080 Speaker 1: Thing, I do. You know what, This is one of 101 00:05:49,160 --> 00:05:51,880 Speaker 1: the things I love the most about when I actually 102 00:05:51,920 --> 00:05:55,680 Speaker 1: interview people who've won something as important as the Paramedic 103 00:05:55,720 --> 00:05:59,560 Speaker 1: of the Year. You know, the thing I love is 104 00:05:59,600 --> 00:06:03,839 Speaker 1: so often the people that are actually recognized are the 105 00:06:03,880 --> 00:06:06,880 Speaker 1: ones like yourself that don't actually really go out there 106 00:06:06,920 --> 00:06:10,479 Speaker 1: seeking that seeking that recognition. You're not out there you know, 107 00:06:10,640 --> 00:06:14,080 Speaker 1: wanting to to really you know, to talk too much 108 00:06:14,080 --> 00:06:16,719 Speaker 1: about yourself. But it is clear to me that you 109 00:06:16,800 --> 00:06:20,040 Speaker 1: do a phenomenal job and obviously you work colleagues and 110 00:06:20,080 --> 00:06:22,800 Speaker 1: everybody else around you want you to be recognized. 111 00:06:23,880 --> 00:06:27,080 Speaker 2: Yeah, that's so fine. Thank you so much, Katie. I 112 00:06:27,120 --> 00:06:31,279 Speaker 2: think it's really Rotary they're you know, sponsoring this event. 113 00:06:31,320 --> 00:06:34,360 Speaker 2: They've sponsored it now for the last twenty five years. Wow, 114 00:06:34,960 --> 00:06:37,640 Speaker 2: And I just think that that's such a huge undertaking. 115 00:06:38,480 --> 00:06:42,320 Speaker 2: You know that certainly, you know, I appreciate and I 116 00:06:42,400 --> 00:06:45,960 Speaker 2: just think, you know, a huge thanks to Rotary for 117 00:06:46,120 --> 00:06:49,400 Speaker 2: sponsoring the event that I just think it's a huge 118 00:06:49,480 --> 00:06:52,280 Speaker 2: undertaking for them, and we really acknowledge and appreciate that. 119 00:06:52,440 --> 00:06:55,480 Speaker 1: Yeah. Well, it's wonderful for everybody to be recognized, right 120 00:06:55,520 --> 00:06:57,760 Speaker 1: for the hard work that you do. And I know 121 00:06:57,920 --> 00:07:01,400 Speaker 1: that there's been the Paramedic of Year for the Southern Region, 122 00:07:01,440 --> 00:07:04,359 Speaker 1: the Northern Region, but also some of the other roles 123 00:07:04,400 --> 00:07:08,840 Speaker 1: like the Patient Transport Officer, the Emergency Medical Dispatcher of 124 00:07:08,880 --> 00:07:12,320 Speaker 1: the Year, the Intern of the Year. It really does 125 00:07:12,600 --> 00:07:16,720 Speaker 1: take a whole raft of different people within Saint John 126 00:07:16,960 --> 00:07:21,000 Speaker 1: to really look after territories when they absolutely need it. 127 00:07:21,040 --> 00:07:23,160 Speaker 1: And the work that you guys do is critical. So 128 00:07:23,240 --> 00:07:26,680 Speaker 1: I'm not surprised as much as it's difficult and would 129 00:07:26,680 --> 00:07:28,640 Speaker 1: be hard work for Rotary in terms of putting it 130 00:07:28,720 --> 00:07:31,120 Speaker 1: on for twenty five years. You guys deserve it. 131 00:07:32,120 --> 00:07:35,560 Speaker 2: Oh, thank you so much. Yeah, I think everyone, you know, 132 00:07:35,640 --> 00:07:40,400 Speaker 2: the guys that we were celebrating last night were great winners, 133 00:07:40,440 --> 00:07:42,440 Speaker 2: you know, worthy winners, and I was so proud of 134 00:07:42,760 --> 00:07:45,680 Speaker 2: you know, some of the guys from definitely from Alice Springs. 135 00:07:45,800 --> 00:07:47,880 Speaker 2: You know, if I'm just talking about our springs for 136 00:07:47,920 --> 00:07:50,240 Speaker 2: a second, you're you know, even the Cadet of the 137 00:07:50,320 --> 00:07:53,360 Speaker 2: Year with an Alice Springs person, you know who really 138 00:07:53,400 --> 00:07:56,280 Speaker 2: really well deserved. I just take my hat off to them. 139 00:07:56,320 --> 00:07:58,360 Speaker 2: I think they're all a great bunch of people, you know, 140 00:07:58,480 --> 00:08:02,960 Speaker 2: a studley justin even great people and really well deserved. 141 00:08:03,160 --> 00:08:06,120 Speaker 1: A wonderful stuff. Taz. Before I let you go, what 142 00:08:06,200 --> 00:08:08,520 Speaker 1: would you say to anybody out there listening this morning 143 00:08:08,520 --> 00:08:12,120 Speaker 1: who's maybe thinking about becoming a paramedic. 144 00:08:13,800 --> 00:08:16,600 Speaker 2: Well, give it a go. I think it's a great challenge. 145 00:08:16,680 --> 00:08:20,040 Speaker 2: You know, it's certainly a challenge, but it's a challenge 146 00:08:20,080 --> 00:08:22,720 Speaker 2: that's worth it. You know. It's there's no two days 147 00:08:22,720 --> 00:08:25,240 Speaker 2: that are the same. Every day you go home with 148 00:08:25,320 --> 00:08:27,720 Speaker 2: a good story, and sometimes you have a bad story 149 00:08:27,760 --> 00:08:30,560 Speaker 2: that you talk about it, you work through it, and 150 00:08:30,600 --> 00:08:33,400 Speaker 2: I think it's a great profession, really great profession. 151 00:08:33,840 --> 00:08:36,319 Speaker 1: It is lovely to speak to you this morning, tas 152 00:08:36,440 --> 00:08:41,319 Speaker 1: a big congratulations on being named Saint John Ambulance Paramedic 153 00:08:41,480 --> 00:08:42,080 Speaker 1: of the Year. 154 00:08:43,000 --> 00:08:45,600 Speaker 2: Thank you so much. I appreciate it, thank you, thank you. 155 00:08:45,880 --> 00:08:47,040 Speaker 1: Lovely to talk to you.