Adam Watson didn’t set out to follow in his father Peter’s footsteps and pursue a career in the ambulance service. But when he did, no one was prouder than his dad.
“I had a background in IT and lost my job in 1999,” Watson recalls. “I was pulling out my hair, trying to find another job, when dad suggested I do the course in non-emergency patient transport.
“I did the course at Victoria University and got a job in the medical transport service. He then inspired me to become more trained and get into the ambulance service.”
Watson, now based at Melton, was one of many young prospective paramedics influenced by Peter Watson.
Peter, a paramedic for 32 years, had two stints at the Melton station, including as team manager from 2000 until 2008, when he left the service after being diagnosed with cancer. He died later that year.
A memorial plaque was unveiled at last month’s official opening of the new Melton station.
“I felt very proud and emotional when they unveiled the plaque,” Watson says.
“Dad’s former colleagues were looking to raise money for some sort of memorial and I was taken aback when the service decided to do it.”
Watson says his father was the driving force behind relocation of the branch and recalls his father’s willingness to teach others as among his greatest assets, along with a wicked sense of humour.
“Dad was always teaching courses even before he was team leader and he helped many a student paramedic when they were on the road learning,” he says.
“He always had time to help me learn and he always had time to spend with everyone. He taught them whatever they wanted to know. My best shifts were working with him.”
Watson says his father’s love of horse racing and football meant he was always among the first to volunteer to help the medical transport service at sporting events. And it wasn’t unusual to see him practising his putting in between calls at the station.
While Peter spent more than three decades in an ambulance uniform, there was one thing he never had the chance to do.
“It bugged him that he never got to deliver a baby,’’ Watson says. ‘‘It was the one thing he wanted to do and the other guys made sure he knew about it.”
tmurray@mmpgroup.com.au
