Mallacoota Ambulance Community Officer (ACO) Wolfgang Drobeck is marking 35 years of service - a career defined by deep family ties and an unwavering commitment to the community.
From the devastation of the 2019-2020 Black Summer bushfires to roadside incidents, snake bites, cardiac emergencies by candlelight and even the safe delivery of a baby on the way to hospital, Wolfgang has been at the frontline of some of the region's most memorable moments.
Another key event that stands out was the 1998 Sydney to Hobart tragedy off the coast of Mallacoota, where Wolfgang was on hand to provide care to survivors.
"I worked for about 20 hours, waiting for people to be rescued out of the water by ours and NSW air ambulance helicopters," he said.
"While we were waiting for the patients, there was also a campervan rollover nearby, which we attended."
ACOs are AV first responders employed on a casual basis, working on-call in rural and remote communities. They are trained to provide advanced first aid and can transport patients to hospital.
In a unique location like Mallacoota, Wolfgang and his fellow ACOs play a critical role.
"Mallacoota is one of Victoria's most remote ambulance branches as our nearest hospital is two hours away in New South Wales and the nearest hospital for higher level care is three hours away," he said.
Wolfgang said the best parts of the job were serving his community, the satisfaction he gains from helping others and educating new staff.
"I love providing care and support for the community - I just want to give something back."
Wolfgang grew up in Germany as one of 12 children and it was helping care for his siblings as well as hearing about his mother's experience as a nurse during World War Two that inspired his own move into healthcare.
In the early 1980s, Wolfgang moved to Australia, finding a home in Mallacoota where he soon came across the local ACO team.
On 28 August 1990, Wolfgang joined the Southeastern Victorian Ambulance Service as an ACO.
"When I started, we only had four ACOs and now we have 14 wonderful and caring people," he said.
The team has also become a family affair, with Wolfgang now joined by his youngest daughter, Yana.
"She's grown up here and people in the community know her, so they are happy to see a familiar face when she arrives - she loves it too."
After three-and-a-half decades, Wolfgang said he has no plans to finish up.
"I will continue as long as I feel comfortable and strong enough," he said.
Wolfgang is also celebrating 20 years as a member of the Mallacoota AV Auxiliary, in which he currently serves as president.
AV Auxiliaries play a vital role in raising funds for and advocating on behalf of their local ambulance branch, and have a proud history dating back more than a century.
