New 4WD ambulance revs up Coral Bay thanks to RAC and community support

• A new model of Toyota HiAce Commuter with four-wheel-drive conversion will be used to access remote sites in the event of an emergency requiring 4WD capabilities.
• RAC donated $50,000 towards the $270,000 vehicle, which was mostly community funded.
• Exmouth and Coral Bay traditionally respond to about 300 cases total a year.

St John WA staff and volunteers in Exmouth and Coral Bay are all revved up by the generosity of their local community and RAC in helping deliver a new four-wheel-drive ambulance to their sub centre.

On track: The new model of Toyota HiAce Commuter with 4WD drive conversion in Coral Bay.

RAC’s donation of $50,000 was instrumental in closing the fundraising gap for the $270,000 vehicle, which included about $23,000 from SJWA’s volunteer managed Mid-West Regional Development Fund and the rest from community donors and sub centre initiatives.

The new model of Toyota HiAce Commuter with 4WD conversion has been kitted out with the same features as the latest St John ambulance, MK 7, and will be used to access the many remote campsites, beaches and stations in the area that are only accessible by 4WD.

Exmouth and Coral Bay traditionally respond to about 300 cases total a year, comprised mostly of sports/recreation and motor vehicle accident (MVA) traumas, with near drownings and bites and stings making up a dozen-odd cases.

RAC Group Executive for Tourism Tony Pickworth said RAC was proud to support such a crucial community cause.

“It’s an honour to play a role in helping to deliver this vital vehicle for such an important and life-saving service,” Mr Pickworth said.

“We hope the new addition to the St John fleet will give the service a boost, so they can continue to be there for the people of Coral Bay and Exmouth, in their time of need.”

For Coral Bay local and Volunteer Ambulance Officer Natalie Manks it has been an extremely significant fundraising project undertaken over many years.

“There’s a huge sense of achievement for the whole community,” she said. 

“We’re also hoping to recruit new volies to drive our new set of wheels. Having modern equipment that is fit for purpose helps to support our volunteers as they provide this essential community service.”

St John has 160 locations across regional Western Australia, which includes 140 volunteer response locations and 20 stations with both volunteer ambulance officers and career paramedics who work side-by-side.

To learn more about volunteering visit: stjohnwa.com.au/changelives/volunteer