Albany celebrates opening of brand new facility

St John WA’s Great Southern District Office and Albany sub centre has officially opened its new building on Sanford Road.

While the team made the move late last year, official celebrations had been on hold until this week.

The big move, which involved a massive effort after close to 30 years at the former site, was undertaken to accommodate growing demand for St John services in the region.

The new site includes 18 undercover ambulance bays, improved facilities for team members – paid and volunteers, new offices and training spaces, and is designed to accommodate growth for the future.

Great Southern District Operations Manager Toni Melia said an increase in team size and demand for services meant they had outgrown their current location on the corner of Campbell and Middleton Road.

“This new facility has been purpose-built to be able to accommodate everyone back out at one location, and to future proof for the next 10 to 20 years moving forward so that we can continue to grow as the community grows,” Ms Melia said.

The local team of paramedics, transport staff, and volunteers respond to more than 8000 jobs each year in the Great Southern, with more than 5000 of these in Albany.

As well as providing the emergency ambulance service and patient transfer resources to the region, the Albany team also trains about 300 students each year in vital first aid.

The tight-knit local team welcomed Albany Mayor Greg Stocks, as well as St John WA Group CEO Kevin Brown and General Manager Ambulance Operations – Rural and Remote Karen Stewart to help them celebrate the opening.

“This is a wonderful achievement for the local team and ensures St John will be here to respond to the community for decades to come,” Ms Stewart said.