QAS celebrates outstanding ASM recipients

Two Queensland paramedics were honoured with Ambulance Service Medals (ASMs) on Australia Day this year for their outstanding service to the community.

On behalf of the QAS family, we would like to extend our congratulations to our ASM recipients Cairns and Hinterland District Acting Director Rita Kelly and Metropolitan North Clinical Support Officer (CSO) Crad Smith.

The ASM is a prestigious award recognising distinguished and outstanding service from the men and women of Australia’s ambulance organisations and acknowledges their outstanding service to the community and as role models within the QAS.

Commissioner Craig Emery said both officers were exceptional role models to their peers and junior staff and demonstrated the high level of professionalism expected of today’s officers.

“Rita is a passionate and highly skilled leader within the QAS who many officers look up to,” Craig said.

“She provides advice and guidance on ambulance operations on a daily basis and has a superior understanding of the operational landscape.

“Crad is also very highly regarded in the service after starting out in the Queensland Ambulance Transport Brigade (QATB) days as an Honorary Ambulance Officer at Caboolture Ambulance Station until his full-time appointment in 1987.”

Crad said he became an Intensive Care Paramedic in 2006 before gaining a position as a Clinical Support Officer for Metro North where his continued dedication and commitment remains highly valued by the Queensland community, his peers and the QAS.

“For me it became about helping other paramedics achieve their dreams and goals – we have a responsibility not only to the Service and to treat the public, but certainly to pass on our experiences, good or bad, and provide that opportunity for learning,” he said.

“It wasn’t all about just saving lives, there were other things I was helping people with, including helping people get their lives back on track.”

Crad has coordinated several large-scale incidents, most notably the evacuation of 250 patients from Cairns Hospital during Cyclone Yasi in 2011, doing so with the highest level of patient care, something which has been a hallmark of his 36‐year career.

The 2005 QAS Star Care Mentor of The Year said he was humbled and honoured just to be nominated for an ASM award, let alone receive one.

“I never saw being a paramedic as a job, for me it felt probably more like an adventure, it was never hard to come to work that’s for sure,” he said.

Rita first joined the service in 2008 at the Mt Isa Ambulance Station after turning personal tragedy into motivation.

“My partner was killed in a car accident, and I wanted to change my career path to be more of a path of service,” Rita said.

“I do what I do to show my children that a life of contribution is a life well had and so they learn all of the material things in the world that exist, when it all boils down to it, don’t really mean anything.

“If you can come home every day knowing you’ve contributed positively to your community, then that gives you a real purpose in life.”

Rita worked regionally for many years from Doomadgee to Cloncurry, Julia Creek to Normanton before moving to Cairns where she has been based since 2011.

“I’ve obviously been to a lot of big jobs being a Senior Operations Supervisor and working in rural and remote areas you really do get exposed to some really big, traumatic jobs and I remember them all like they were just yesterday,” she said.

“Even during the worst tragedies for others, I feel like that is my time to shine and be supportive and helpful and there for other people.”

Crad and Rita’s dedication and passion to their roles are second to none and we are proud to be able to celebrate their wonderful achievements.

Crad Smith, Ambulance Service Medal Recipient, Australia Day 2022 Honours List

“We have a responsibility not only to the Service and to treat the public, but certainly to pass on our experiences, good or bad, and provide that opportunity for learning. I never saw being a paramedic as a job, for me it felt probably more like an adventure, it was never hard to come to work that’s for sure.”

Rita Kelly, Ambulance Service Medal Recipient, Australia Day 2022 Honours List

“I do what I do to show my children that a life of contribution is a life well had and so they learn all of the material things in the world that exist, when it all boils down to it, don’t really mean anything. If you can come home every day knowing you’ve contributed positively to your community, then that gives you a real purpose in life.”