Multi Award Winning

A POMONA couple is being remembered for their dedication to the community.

Alan and Pat Gottke moved to Pomona in 1979 where Alan was the superintendent at the Pomona Ambulance Station.

Daughter Katherine Bradley said they were big on fundraising to support the Queensland Ambulance Transport Brigade (QATB) - on 1 July 1991, the QATB was transformed into a state-administered service to become the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS).

“Mum and dad would hold cent sales, fashion parades, sell lucky envelopes, have stalls at the Pomona King of the Mountain selling fairy floss … the list goes on. Dad would even walk door to door for subscriptions, keeping them up to date.

“From all the funds they raised, the Pomona station was refurbished. He upgraded each station he worked at with new vehicles and equipment.”

Alan first embarked on the path of becoming an ambulance officer in the couple’s hometown of Hughenden.

“Mum and Dad met in 1951 in Hughenden. Dad was using an outdoor toilet and Mum had lost a goat near this toilet so she was throwing rocks on the roof of the toilet to chase the goat out.

“But instead of a goat, Dad came out. That was their first meeting,”

Katherine said.

The couple married in August 1954 in a double wedding with Pat’s sister, and seven months later fell pregnant with their first child, Bub.

“Dad put his carpentry skills to the test for the newborn – he thought he would make a cot. Well, this cot was way too big to fit through the door!”

With work becoming scarce and the arrival of their second and third children, Mick and Pedro, Alan had to change jobs.

“This meant being stationed out at Charters Towers working 10-day fortnights before coming home to continue the build of the home across the river.”

Katherine said around this time their fourth child, Bob, was born and then the fifth and sixth, Shirl and Steve.

“This was when Dad began on the path of becoming an ambulance officer.”

In 1964, the family moved to Charters Towers where they had their seventh and last child, Kid. In 1971, Alan was appointed officer in charge (OIC) of the brandnew station in Moranbah.

With the start of a benefit committee, they raised sufficient funds to build a new ambulance centre and residence.

The family moved from Moranbah to Pomona towards the end of 1979.

After Pomona station, Alan moved to the Cooroy-Tewantin station in 1987. He resigned from QAS in 1992.

“In retirement, Mum and Dad built their dream house in Gympie, bought a caravan and travelled a little both domestically and internationally.

“They both loved their golf. Dad loved woodworking, and Mum bowled in her later years.

“But they mostly enjoyed their 17 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.”

Pat passed away eight months ago aged 90, and Alan passed away in May aged 92.

“We will miss them terribly.”