St John WA volunteer Paul Beech receives Ambulance Service Medal at Government House ceremony

A volunteer for Harvey’s ambulance service has officially received recognition for his efforts spanning almost three decades. Former St John Harvey sub centre chairman Paul Beech was recently handed his Ambulance Service Medal by Governor Chris Dawson at a ceremony at Government House in Perth. It was revealed Mr Beech would be receiving the honour earlier this year as part of the annual Australia Day Honours. He described the ceremony, which also included others receiving emergency services, public service and higher-ranked Order of Australia medals, as “amazing”. “The people who get called up, you hear their biographies as to why they get an award,” Mr Beech said. “I don’t know how many awards they gave out that day, but it was a lot, and everyone had a story.” Five months after Mr Beech received his new title, he still does not know who nominated him for the accolade. “It was a very humbling shock because it is a highly regarded award within the Australian honours system,” he said. Mr Beech received his award in recognition of 28 years volunteering as a frontline emergency responder. He served as secretary of the Harvey sub centre for 15 years and chairman for four, overseeing its transition to a hybrid paramedic and volunteer depot.