HONOUR FOR LIFE OF SERVICE
IF anyone deserves a thank you, it’s Fay Gleave.
The Kingscliff resident, 84, has won the St Johns NSW 2018 Volunteer Trainer of the Year Award after 45 years of working as a paramedic, an ambulance divisional and regional supintendent, and volunteering to teach students first aid across schools in the Tweed Shire.
Over the past three-anda-half years, Mrs Gleave has taught 5689 students and has become a local celebrity.
“Everywhere I go, people say hello and give me a hug,” Mrs Gleave said.
While Mrs Gleave was on a trip in London in 2009, she collapsed and had to have major surgery that resulted in a five-week hospital stay.
She says an “overwhelming’’ number of people sent messages – so much so, that the hospital staff thought she must be a bigwig back home.
“The hospital thought I was someone of importance as the cards, emails, flowers and phone calls kept coming,’’ she said.
“I had an email from a man while I was still in intensive care stating that in 1995 I had saved his life. I had a nurse read it to me and all I could do was cry.
“I didn’t think I was going to make it. I should have died but I was spared as I believe there was more for me to do.”
Helping people has been a part of Mrs Gleave’s life since a young age.
“I wanted to be an army medic when I left school but there weren’t any female army meds,” Mrs Gleave said.
“Instead, I got my first aid certificate in 1961 and joined the NSW St Johns Ambulance service.”
Since her career began, she has led a fulfilling life with a long list of achievements in her ambulance work and awards for helping others.
“In 1978 I taught my first class in Murwillumbah,” she said. “I’m now a retired grade three officer and Commander of Order for St Johns.
“I’ve got back what I have given. People who don’t give don’t know what a wonder it is.” Mrs Gleave will be presented with the award in Sydney on October 27.