The Auxiliary held an auction to raise funds for the community’s first dedicated Ambulance. The auction included bidding for all specific parts of the vehicle i.e.: the wheel, the stretcher, the body of the vehicle etc. right down to the last wheel stud. Funds raised through the auction totaled $3,700 which was enough to purchase an Ambulance and the building materials needed to build an Ambulance shed. The shed was built and located at the end of McDougall Rd. As remembered by Mrs. Susan Radeka, a long-term Auxiliary committee member and Registered Nurse at the Coober Pedy Hospital & Health Services.
Coober Pedy St John’s Ambulance commenced operations after volunteers attended a First Aid Training course and with the arrival of the St John’s Ambulance vehicle. Keys to the
Ambulance were handed to Mr. Ross McArdle who was left in charge of the crew and station. The Ambulance was blessed by the BCA Minister Rev. Barry. Rainsford.
(Article: ‘Ambulance in a rush’, courtesy of The Bush Church Aid Society)
Prior to the arrival of an ambulance the BCA Nurses would utilize the Medical Services station wagon as a means of transport for the sick and injured.