FNQ farewells Lara and Ronald

FNQ says farewell to Lara Darby

Former Officer Lara Darby passed away in April following a long-term illness and will be remembered as a well‐loved hard‐working and community‐minded member of the QAS workforce.

Lara commenced with the QAS initially as an honorary officer and cadet at Coolangatta/Burleigh Heads Ambulance Stations on 26 December 1990.

Lara had a career spanning 31 years, achieved many personal milestones qualifying as an Advanced Care Paramedic (ACP) and a Critical Care Paramedic (CCP), before ultimately achieving OIC status and taking charge of Edmonton ambulance station in January 2012.

During her career Lara worked at almost every station and was well known throughout FNQ.

Her loyal service to QAS, her commitment to the care of her community and her unwavering support for staff rightfully earned her respect from her peers and recognition from

QAS, with Lara being the recipient of 10, 20 and 30 years QAS long Service awards, in addition to the 15 and 25 years National Medals over her career.

At a recent Awards Ceremony, Lara was awarded with a QAS Shield and Commissioners Certificate of Appreciation for 30 years of long, diligent and outstanding service.

According to staff and LAC volunteers at Edmonton Station, Lara had a knack for welcoming all new staff and ensuring station and LAC events were a success.

Many QAS staff attended Lara’s funeral both in person and online on 21 April 2022 and many current and former staff took the opportunity to send in messages detailing how Lara touched their lives.

As part of her legacy, QAS has launched the Far Northern Region Care for Staff Award, to be awarded in Lara’s honour at the next FNQ awards ceremony.

The Lara Darby Caring for staff award was created by Far North Region Acting Assistant Commissioner Rita Kelly in consultation with Lara.

They wanted to create an award to commemorate Lara’s contribution to the service and primarily the staff she cared for as an OIC for so many years.

Lara was well known for going above and beyond for her staff and doing so relentlessly, with a “let’s do what’s right” attitude.

Lara wanted to hand-pick the first recipient of this award for 2022 and has made a choice everyone will be very much in support of.

Vale Ronald (Bert) Toogood

Ronald (Bert) Toogood, a former Far North Queensland QATB Superintendent recently passed away aged 93 years.

Bert started as an honorary ambulance officer at Cairns in 1949, before his appointment as Driver Bearer in Tully in 1951, returning to Cairns soon afterwards in 1953.

In 1954 Bert returned to Tully and was promoted to Senior Bearer in June 1956.

In 1965 he was appointed as a Superintendent, serving at Mount Garnet, Babinda,

Charters Towers, Tully and finally Innisfail in 1985.

He retired in 1992 after having served 43 years and six months service to the North Queensland Community.

According to QAS Heritage and History Manager Mick Davis, Bert and his wife Josie were like parents to many officers in their early ambulance careers.

He also played a significant role in the preservation of the 1941 Ford ambulance vehicle at the Charters Towers ambulance museum.

Bert remained a member of the Queensland Ambulance Service Retired Officers Association.

Bert’s Memorial Service was held on 6 May in Innisfail.

Ronald Toogood