Memorial scholarships honour Fiona and Tinesh

Four new scholarships have been launched at St John WA to honour the memory of fallen team members.

The scholarships were launched on February 21 to mark the 12-month anniversary since the death of respected Ambulance Paramedic Fiona Lavelle in a hiking mishap while off-duty.

The scholarships are worth a combined $80,000 and also pay tribute to beloved Clinical Support Paramedic Tinesh Tamilkodi who died in a car crash on route to a Priority 1 call-out in November last year.

The Fiona Lavelle and Tinesh Tamilkodi Memorial Scholarships include two types:

• Two tuition scholarships for First Nations students undertaking a health sciences qualification at Edith Cowan University. Applications open on March 1 and close on March 30.
• Two scholarships for existing St John WA team members who can apply to pursue personal leadership and development opportunities aligned to the St John WA values of Lead with Heart, Think Team, Make it Better and Walk the Talk. 

Group CEO Kevin Brown said in talking to the families and close colleagues of Fiona and Tinesh, it was evident they shared a love of learning, their work, a commitment to service.

“Both Tinesh and Fiona had an infectious positivity and love of life and their untimely passing had an impact never before experienced by St John WA,” Mr Brown said.

“Fiona was an amazing paramedic, wonderful person and to many a good friend. Tinesh was renowned for his clinical expertise, passion for adventure and determination to have a go.

“Their memories will forever live on as they remain in our thoughts. Giving avenues to others to join St John WA, or expand their experience with the organisation, is a fitting way to ensure their legacy.”

Mr Brown said the scholarships had been developed in close consultation with the families of both to ensure all were comfortable they would be a fitting tribute.

The St John WA front line workforce also developed a pin for team members to wear to honour fallen colleagues which would be sent out to all who registered.

A formal service is planned to mark the anniversary of Tinesh’s passing in November.