Record numbers of women are choosing a career as a lifesaving paramedic, 30 years since the very first female paramedics hit the road in Victoria. Minister for Ambulance Services Jill Hennessy today celebrated the historic anniversary and met Victoria’s pioneering first female paramedics in operational roles.
“It’s hard to believe that as recently as 30 years ago women couldn’t be paramedics due to unfair workplace regulations that prevented them from lifting more than 16kg on the job.” Minister Hennessy commented.
Minister Hennessy explained that on 27 July 1987, Andrea Wyatt became one of Victoria’s first two female paramedics in metropolitan Melbourne. Soon after, Melissa Buckingham was the first and only female paramedic in rural Victoria. Georgie Hall became the fourth female paramedic in 1988. Andrea continued to break new ground, becoming the first qualified MICA female paramedic in 1993 and the first female Clinical Support Officer in 1995. The Minister went on to add that thirty years later, the paramedic workforce is changing rapidly. Ambulance Victoria is a leader in the traditionally male-dominated emergency services sector, with women now making up 47 per cent of Ambulance Victoria staff. And this number is increasing significantly with females today making up about 57 per cent of graduate paramedic applicants. Women also fill key leadership roles such as MICA paramedics, team and group managers, and in corporate management.
“While women have only been in the service since 1987, they have made a remarkable contribution to it – and Ambulance Victoria continues to lead the way in giving women the equal opportunities and support they deserve.” Minister Hennessy commented.