Development of first-class Kondinin-Hyden Sub Centre commences

• Development plan for $700K Kondinin-Hyden Sub Centre comes to fruition thanks to generous contributions from St John WA volunteer fundraising efforts, community businesses, as well as local council.
• St John WA’s Kondinin-Hyden Sub Centre volunteers have completed 123 cases, including 58 Priority 1 jobs, so far this financial year.
• It has provided ambulance transportation, care and first aid training to a community of 600 people for more than 70 years.

Preparations for the demolition of St John WA’s Kondinin-Hyden Sub Centre began in earnest this month as years of planning, approvals and fundraising have come together to develop a new $700,000 first-class facility for the local community.

Twenty-eight volunteers deliver ambulance services to 600 people across Kondinin, Karlgarin and Hyden, and support surrounding St John Wheatbelt sub centres when needed. They have responded to 123 Triple Zero (000) calls, including 58 life-threatening Priority 1 jobs, over this financial year to date.

Approved plans for the new sub centre enable ambulance operations to continue away from any training or meeting occurring within the building.

The facility will offer a high level of volunteerism and participation within the community by providing local Volunteer Ambulance Officers and those undertaking first aid courses a dedicated area to undertake training and development, as well as providing a customer service area for first aid kit sales and servicing.

Ambulance for Kondinin-Hyden operates out of two depots housing two ambulances each. There are 12 Kondinin volunteers (10 on road, two support) and 16 Hyden volunteers (10 on road, six support).

The Hyden depot is a garage and multipurpose room attached to the Silver Chain building. Plans to upgrade it are also in the works, with a feasibility report expected to be lodged with St John WA in September and any of the remaining funding from the Kondinin build will contribute towards its development.

Site works on the Kondinin depot are expected to get underway by September, with the building now vacated and utility services turned off in preparation for demolition in late July. Building is expected to commence in November.

Volunteers will continue ambulance operations from a garage on site, as well as being on standby for Kondinin and Hyden footy home games, and catering breakfast for the Variety Bash in Hyden in August.

The new sub centre has been funded by donations from community members and businesses, including a very generous donation of $100,000 from a local business that wishes to remain anonymous; $100,000 from the Kondinin-Hyden sub centre; $240,000 from other St John sub centres, including $20,000 from the Wheatbelt Volunteer Regional Support Fund; grants from grain grower co-operative CBH and Bendigo Bank; and $150,000 from the Shire of Kondinin.

St John WA Head of Country Ambulance Operations, Justin Fonte, thanked the local community for its generosity and Kondinin-Hyden volunteers for their hard work and dedication in getting others behind the project.

Mr Fonte said it demonstrated the passionate service St John volunteers continually bring to their communities.

“The Kondinin-Hyden Sub Centre has provided ambulance services and pre-hospital care for more than 70 years.  During this time the St John WA volunteers have also assisted their local community to achieve community resilience by making first aid a part of their lives,” he said.

“While our volunteers continue to provide an outstanding service to their community, it has become evident that they require a modern, purpose built facility in which to base their services and to provide a welcoming environment to new and existing volunteers. 

“I extend my most heartfelt thanks to all of the funding sources that have made this development for the community possible.  I would like to especially extend my gratitude to the volunteer sub-centres in other jurisdictions who have contributed to the Kondinin-Hyden community in service of humanity.

“Kondinin-Hyden volunteers deserve a first-class facility and we appreciate the value, the time and dedication they each give to St John each and every day.”