In 1975 when Clyde Stewart retired from his volunteer role with Warwick’s Queensland Ambulance Transport Brigade (QATB), his son Peter said the station’s Superintendent tapped him on the shoulder and told him it was “now his turn” to volunteer… So he did.
Little did Peter realise this would become a 50-year labour of love for his local station and community - and a family legacy of close to 75 years.
“Dad had volunteered for the Queensland Ambulance Transport Brigade (QATB) for about 25 years when he announced it was time to retire, and the ‘Super’ Ray Newitt came down and knocked on our door and said, ‘Your father doesn’t want to go out after dark anymore, so you’d better take his place’, and it was as simple as that,” Peter said.
“And that was on 25 May 1975.”
On Saturday 23 August, more than 200 LAC colleagues and QAS staff attending the 2025 Biennial Local Ambulance Committee Conference in Bundaberg celebrated Peter’s 50-year volunteering milestone.
Peter’s milestone was one of more than 30 celebrated during the night, with the QAS Commissioner Craig Emery presenting Long Service badges to LAC volunteers who had dedicated between 5 and 50 years supporting the service.
Craig noted their time combined represented 600 years of support these LAC members had provided to their ambulance station and communities.
Peter received not only a Long Service Badge but also a framed 50-year Service Award and medallion, and a standing ovation from the room.
But what drove his dedication over the years?
“Well, I’ve got a lot of enjoyment out of organising activities with the public, knowing our community appreciated what we did and really appreciated the station’s service too,” Peter said.
“It’s been a lovely social opportunity too and our fundraising activities gave a lot of joy – especially arguing with the mums inside the supermarket where we’d set up our mini ambulance when their littlies wouldn’t get off it,” he laughed.
Peter said he and his father not only shared a passion for their community and the service, but also their love of cars.
Peter’s father had held the Allora Holden dealership, which was where he’d learned the trade in the 1960s before “crossing to the dark side” to purchase his own Ford Dealership in the 1980s in Warwick.
Peter said they were proud both dealerships had delivered Holdens and Fords to the service for use as ambulances.
Warwick Officer in Charge Wayne Kirk ASM said Peter had retired from his longstanding role as President in August, which he’d held for the last 22 years, and said (with a wink) the LAC’s new President John Towells was left with big boots to fill.
“I’ve had the privilege of working with Peter for about five and a half years,” Wayne said.
“Peter brought with him the skills and knowledge developed during his professional life as a Ford dealership owner to our LAC, and these management skills and financial knowledge have been invaluable to us.
“Peter’s level-headed, and he’s just a great human being, often popping his head in to say g’day and as the OIC of Warwick, it has just been the best time working with our volunteers like Peter and our LAC – they’re a great bunch of people.”
Wayne said under Peter’s leadership the LAC had gathered a “great bunch of proactive people who enjoyed working for their community”.
Wayne said preparations were underway in Peter’s hometown for a special celebration marking his marvelous milestone.
“We’ll really miss Peter’s leadership, but we know he’s set up our LAC really well for the future.”