Tambellup revamps sub centre

The community of Tambellup is celebrating this month as St John’s revamped sub centre opened its doors during an official opening ceremony on 9 March.

The original building was constructed in 1966 and for the past 51 years it has served Tambellup and the surrounding communities through its volunteer ambulance service and first aid training.

St John Ambulance Country Ambulance general manager Julian Smith said the ambulance service had delivered quality care to the Tambellup community for many years and that growth in the area and an increase in demand for first aid training had created a need for the new facilities.

“It was identified that the Tambellup Sub Centre was no longer suitable for operating a modern ambulance service,” he said.

“This larger, modern facility will provide us with the ideal stage to evolve our services for the communities of the Great Southern.

“Funding for the project came from the Tambellup Sub Centre committee, with additional funds generously donated from the Katanning Sub Centre to allow the project to be realised.”

The new building is a purpose-built facility that features a drive-through garage with adequate equipment storage facilities, a first aid training room, kitchen facilities and fatigue management rooms.

Mr Smith said: “This new centre will help deliver our integrated model of service, where volunteers and community paramedics work side by side and first aid plays an integral part in the chain of survival.

“We have a commitment to providing a world class ambulance service to the region and this new sub centre will benefit Tambellup and the wider community for many years to come.”

The construction project commenced in July and was completed in November last year.