Ambulance station opens with pride

 

Mangawhai’s highly anticipated new St John ambulance complex was officially opened on November 21.

Following the cutting of the ribbon by Richard Blundell, Patron of St John Northern Region, around 150 official invitees were on hand for a conducted tour through the station.

The following day was open to the public and proved very popular with over 300 locals and visitors enjoying the free sausage sizzle, ice creams and coffee and a walk through.

The tour of the complex included the training room, garage, living quarters and office, and a chance for people to practice CPR on simulation ‘manikin’.

A number of St John goodies were on sale as well.

“We are thrilled with what the community has done for us and we are really proud of our new facility,” says station manager Kay Carey.

“We are, as you know, a voluntary station and constantly need more volunteers. That in itself is easy to say and harder to do considering it takes approximately eighteen months to become a qualified ambulance officer,” says Kay. “Still, we have already attracted three new members and have had officers from out of town offer to come stay in our fabulous station in return for a duty or two.”

And those additional duties could well be crucial with a big influx of holiday makers just around the corner.

The St John Op Shop in Mangawhai village has been a major fundraiser for the project.

For those who still need a Christmas tree, buy one from the Op Shop and you will be supporting the ambulance station.


OFFICIAL: St John patron Richard Blundell cuts the ribbon.

OPEN: St John officers celebrate the opening of the new Mangawhai ambulance station.