He’ll never have to work a night shift or be on call again, because Friday was the Finley station manager’s last day as an Ambulance Service of NSW paramedic.
His thrilling and fulfilling career comes to an end just a few months before his 40th anniversary of becoming a paramedic.
Mr Matheson started his career at Deniliquin in February 1981.
He then moved soon after to Wagga as a rescue officer and advanced life support paramedic.
Another promotion took him to Armidale, until he had the opportunity to return to his home town of Finley.
Armidale was where Mr Matheson first became a station manager.
‘‘I worked all over the north coast, ambulance control room centre, education centre as an educator for abseiling ambulance service,’’ he said.
‘‘I taught patient access so ambulance staff could get down to injured patients in the mountains and work with the rescue members.
‘‘I taught them how to abseil down so they could treat patients before they were moved from the side of a cliff.
‘‘I moved back to Finley in 1998 as only the second station officer of the station after it was opened in the 1970s.
‘‘I replaced George Brown who retired in 1997, and I have been here ever since.
‘‘I came back to Finley because I know a lot of people here and I didn’t need to be working 24 hours a day,’’ Mr Matheson said.
While Mr Matheson will offer casual support to the Ambulance Service of NSW over the next 12 months as required, he said he would enjoy his hobbies and spend time in the community in retirement.
‘‘I’m most looking forward to not having to work every weekend and not having my phone on me all the time,’’ he said.
‘‘I can pursue my interests of flying and getting around.
‘‘I’ve been a registered pilot since the early 1980s. I build my own planes and I’ve got a couple to finish.
‘‘I’ve totally enjoyed the job but it’s time to move on.
‘‘The patients have also made my career enjoyable. That’s the best part of the job; you meet people every day - you see them in their best and their worst, and do what you can to help.
‘‘I know a lot of people in the area and it is difficult treating people you know, but the older people are happier to have someone they know looking after them.
‘‘I’m going to miss that side, all the personal contact. That is why I’m going to stay on for a while as a casual.
‘‘It’s a great job and a good career but I’m happy for the next chapter. It will be nice to spend time with friends and family.’’
Ambulance Service of NSW southern sector chief inspector of service delivery Bruce Purves had admiration for Mr Matheson.
‘‘I want to congratulate Phil on his retirement and wish him all the best,’’ Chief Insp Purves said.
‘‘I’ve known him since he joined in 1981. We have worked together since he returned to Finley in 2007.’’
Mr Matheson is encouraging anyone who has an interest in saving lives and protecting the health of the community to become a paramedic.
‘‘There are various career paths. You can be on the road, or in the office like Bruce and progress through the ranks; it just depends what you want from an ambulance career.
‘‘It’s a great job and I encourage anyone interested to give it a go.’’
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