Richard Poon is passionate about helping others.
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It's why the 82-year-old, from Fairy Meadow, has spent decades serving the Illawarra as a first-aider and ambulance officer.
Mr Poon has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his service to the community through emergency response organisations.
Much of his work has been with St John Ambulance, where he held various roles from 1953 until his retirement in 2018. He had been a sergeant since 1962.
Mr Poon's stint with St John began in Hong Kong and he migrated to Australia in 1969.
Since then, his list of achievements includes being a NSW Ambulance Officer, as they were then known, from 1975 to 1980.
Prior to that he was an honorary bearer, or volunteer, with the ambulance service for five years.
Mr Poon also worked as a first-aid instructor for the Australian Red Cross, and in first aid at the steelworks.
"I feel honoured ... I was not expecting to get a thing like that [an OAM]," he said.
Richard Poon's achievements
OAM for service to the community through emergency response organisations.
St John Ambulance
- Sergeant, 1962-2018.
- First Aider, Instructor, Store Keeper and Trainee Mentor, 1953-2018.
First Aid
- First Aid Instructor, Wollongong Region, Australian Red Cross, 1999-2016.
- Ambulance Officer, BHP Port Kembla, 1980 and Emergency Service Supervisor, 1994-1999.
NSW Ambulance
- Ambulance Officer, 1975-1980.
- Honorary Bearer, 1970-1975.
Awards and recognition
- Officer Brother, St John Ambulance, 2014; Serving Brother, 1992.
- Staff Service Award, Australian Red Cross, 2005.
Andrew Pearson
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
