After 45 years caring for the people of Armidale, Intensive Care Paramedic Michael Partridge is looking forward to years of uninterrupted sleep, having worked his final shift with his paramedic daughter riding alongside him.
Mick, as he’s known to his mates, joined the ambulance service at the age of 19. The 65-year-old never expected to stay as long as he did.
“When I applied and went through the recruitment process, my intention was to stay until I found something better,” Mr Partridge said.
“I had no idea that it would lead me into a lifelong career that challenged me every day.”
“I have worked with some of the most caring, compassionate and brilliant pre-hospital care clinicians and met so many incredible people that my 45 years in paramedicine feels like very little time at all.”
Over that time he has attended major traumas, including car accidents, industrial and farm incidents, as well as medical cases.
“The F-111 crash at Tenterfield [east of Mt Lindesay Road in 1987] comes to mind,” he said.
“Sometimes though it is the simplest of cases that stay with you, such as being invited into the home of an elderly person who is having the worst days of their lives and making their problem a little bit better.”
He has also seen plenty of change across the industry over the past five decades.
“Our scope of practice has gone from advanced First Aid and transport to medical interventions like IV cannulation with fluid and drug therapy, defibrillation and cardiac monitoring, to name just a few,” Mr Partridge said.
“Paramedics now take the emergency department to the patient rather than waiting to get the patient to the emergency department.”
His advice to anyone considering a career as a paramedic is that it is not for the faint of heart, but it is very satisfying to be able to make a difference to people’s lives.
“If you are prepared to put in the effort and complete a paramedical degree, you are on the first step of a very rewarding career,” he said.
“You must be interested and respectful of people from all walks of life, cultural backgrounds and socio/economic circumstances.”
“You must be prepared to push yourself while seeing some of the most confronting situations you could imagine [and some you can’t].”
For those who can, he said the rewards are worth it.
“If you can do this, you will be rewarded tenfold by being part of the most trusted and respected [most of the time] professions there is,” Mr Partridge said.
Described as a ‘genuinely great bloke’ with an incredible ability to bring calm and reassurance to even the most challenging situations, Mr Partridge finished his career alongside his daughter, Mel Partridge, a paramedic in Wellington, New Zealand. She was granted ‘observer ride-along privileges’ for her dad’s swansong.
His colleagues surprised him by flying her to Armidale from New Zealand so she could work with him on his final day and share a piece of celebratory chocolate cake at the end of the shift.
Station Manager Scott Clarke joined the pair on the historic ride-along. He said he was privileged to have a front row seat to the father and daughter working alongside one another, something Mr Partridge had long hoped to achieve but thought impossible.
“It was really fun watching them bounce off one another during their patient assessment and their treatment and I can only imagine what memories they’ll both take away from the day,” Mr Clarke said.
Peter Cameron, Operations Manager – Event Health Services at St John Ambulance NSW, offered some parting words as Mr Partridge enters his era of ‘no more night shifts’ and more time with his children and grandchildren.
“The Armidale community has been incredibly fortunate to have Mick looking after us for so many years,” Mr Cameron said.
“Enjoy your well-earned retirement, Mick! You’ve certainly earned it.”
“Congratulations on an outstanding career and thank you for everything you’ve done for our community.”
He also had a message for the team behind the surprise.
“Awesome work, Scott and team, on arranging such a special surprise!” Mr Cameron said.
Speaking to 7 News New England last week, Ms Partridge reflected on her father’s milestone.
“I’ve done five years; you’ve done 45, I can’t imagine what it would be like walking away from it after that long,” she said.
“We’re just all I think so bloody proud of him.”
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