Historical information
When he died in 2007, Wally Byrne, left a legacy of public service that many would be proud to emulate. Having served in the Royal Australian Navy in the Pacific during the Second War World War, Wally later joined the Victorian Civil Ambulance as an ambulance officer.
In a career that spanned more than 35 years, Wally was based at Lonsdale Street, Latrobe Street and Fairfield. He became Station Officer at the busy Latrobe Street before moving into the Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) system. Promoted to District Officer he became officer in charge of communications and served in this role until his retirement.
Chas Martin, one of Wally’s communications staff at Latrobe Street, recalled that Wally was an efficient and well liked manager. He was also a very social person. Having purchased a block of land at Christmas Hills, Wally and his family hosted regular weekend BBQ’s there for his communications staff, other ambulance officers, and their families.
Wally’s son Jon, later joined Ambulance Victoria, became a paramedic and now holds a senior role in the organisation.
Physical description
Light green certificate white St John Ambulance logo top left corner.
Inscriptions & markings
THE VENERABLE ORDER
OF THE HOSPITAL OF ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM
THE PRIORY IN AUSTRALIA
