In a life threatening emergency dial Triple Zero (000)
Storm and Flood Assistance
Five members of the ACT Ambulance Service have been recognised in this year's Council of Ambulance Authorities' Women in Ambulance honours.
The awards are designed to highlight successful and hardworking women in ambulance services across Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
It's a huge honour for our service to have five winners selected in 2025, and a ceremony was hosted by ACTAS Interim Chief Officer Patrick Meere at ESA Headquarters, which three of the recipients were able to attend.
2025 recipients
The awards are designed to highlight successful and hardworking women in ambulance services across Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
It's a huge honour for our service to have five winners selected in 2025, and a ceremony was hosted by ACTAS Interim Chief Officer Patrick Meere at ESA Headquarters, which three of the recipients were able to attend.
2025 recipients
Sarah Broomhall
Intensive Care Paramedic, A/g Duty Officer
Time in Service: 18 years
Sarah has been an integral part of the ACT Ambulance Service since 2007, dedicating 18 years of her life to the care and support of the community in various capacities. Sarah’s career began as a Patient Transport Officer, and Triple 000 call taker and dispatcher, where she quickly demonstrated a strong commitment to patient care. Over the years, Sarah’s exceptional skills and tireless work ethic allowed her to transition into the Emergency stream, where she continues to excel.
Sarah is widely respected by her colleagues for her straightforward attitude, honesty, and unwavering dedication to the job. She is a natural leader who commands respect through her actions rather than just words. Whether she is managing staff, providing guidance in complex emergency situations, or offering support to her peers, Sarah consistently demonstrates the values of integrity, professionalism, and compassion that are essential to the ambulance service.
Sarah is widely respected by her colleagues for her straightforward attitude, honesty, and unwavering dedication to the job. She is a natural leader who commands respect through her actions rather than just words. Whether she is managing staff, providing guidance in complex emergency situations, or offering support to her peers, Sarah consistently demonstrates the values of integrity, professionalism, and compassion that are essential to the ambulance service.
Her commitment to the health and well-being of the community and her colleagues is immeasurable. Sarah’s ability to balance multiple roles, provide exceptional care, and be a steady source of support for others makes her an outstanding nominee for this award.
Career Highlights:
Throughout her career, Sarah has held numerous important roles, each of which she has approached with professionalism and determination.
Her career highlights include performing the duties of Patient transport Officer, Communications Officer, triple 000 call taker and dispatcher, Intensive Care Paramedic, Training Development Officer, Station Officer, Pacer Officer (acute mental health response team) and Duty Officer, all of which required specialised knowledge and a compassionate, empathetic approach.
Tessa Chilcott
Communications Centre Emergency Dispatcher
Time in service: 14 years
Tessa joined ACT Ambulance Service in the very first intake of civilian call-takers in 2011.
Since then, Tessa has made significant contributions to the Communications Centre workgroup. Tessa has mentored new call takers and dispatchers for many years, as well as being trained up herself into the Communications Centre Co-ordinator role. Tessa has supported her workgroup as both an industrial delegate and a Health and Safety Representative for a number of years, and has become a recognised and respected senior member of the team.
Career Highlights:
Tessa joined ACT Ambulance Service in the very first intake of civilian call-takers in 2011.
Since then, Tessa has made significant contributions to the Communications Centre workgroup. Tessa has mentored new call takers and dispatchers for many years, as well as being trained up herself into the Communications Centre Co-ordinator role. Tessa has supported her workgroup as both an industrial delegate and a Health and Safety Representative for a number of years, and has become a recognised and respected senior member of the team.
Career Highlights:
Industrial delegate, mentor and dispatcher.
Joy Gibbs
Intensive Care Paramedic
Time in service: 30+ years
Beginning her ambulance career with NSW Ambulance in the 1990s, Joy has been a part of the ACT Ambulance Service for many years. She brings a depth of experience and knowledge which is unrivalled. Joy is a compassionate, professional and proficient paramedic, who has extended her skillsets to include working as a Communications Centre Clinician, a Duty Officer and a Peer Support Officer.
Joy is respected by all in the service - she remains a positive force in mentoring the younger generations of paramedics and Communications Centre staff.
Career Highlights:
Joy Gibbs
Intensive Care Paramedic
Time in service: 30+ years
Beginning her ambulance career with NSW Ambulance in the 1990s, Joy has been a part of the ACT Ambulance Service for many years. She brings a depth of experience and knowledge which is unrivalled. Joy is a compassionate, professional and proficient paramedic, who has extended her skillsets to include working as a Communications Centre Clinician, a Duty Officer and a Peer Support Officer.
Joy is respected by all in the service - she remains a positive force in mentoring the younger generations of paramedics and Communications Centre staff.
Career Highlights:
Intensive Care Paramedic, Communications Centre Clinician, Peer Support Officer and Duty Officer - National Service medal, ACTAS Long Service Medal.
Simone Peters
Simone Peters
Intensive Care Paramedic
Time in service: 7 years
Simone joined the ACT Ambulance Service in 2018 as a Graduate Paramedic, after completing her undergraduate degree in Queensland the previous year.
Despite her Queensland training, Simone seamlessly adapted to the ACTAS environment, quickly mastering its guidelines and procedures. Her colleagues jokingly note her remarkable ability to recite the clinical guidelines, or 'green book,' almost verbatim.
After completing the Graduate Program, Simone thrived as an Ambulance Paramedic, soon stepping into the role of mentor for her peers. Her empathy, humour, and clinical expertise make her an exceptional partner in any ambulance crew, effortlessly defusing tense situations, while delivering the highest standard of patient care.
Simone is widely regarded as one of the most talented paramedics within ACTAS, a true superstar among her colleagues.
Simone’s career trajectory reflects her dedication and skill. After excelling as an Ambulance Paramedic, she embraced various leadership roles, including Station Leader, Educator, and On-Road Training Officer.
Last year, Simone achieved a significant milestone, qualifying as an Intensive Care Paramedic. She excelled in every assessment, demonstrating her clinical mastery and adaptability. In her ICP role, Simone has continued to shine, breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field. She inspires her colleagues daily, serving as a role model, not only for all paramedics, but especially for women aspiring to clinical leadership.
Career Highlights:
Intensive Care Paramedic, Educator, Training and Development Officer, Team Leader.
Jessica Wilson
Time in service: 7 years
Simone joined the ACT Ambulance Service in 2018 as a Graduate Paramedic, after completing her undergraduate degree in Queensland the previous year.
Despite her Queensland training, Simone seamlessly adapted to the ACTAS environment, quickly mastering its guidelines and procedures. Her colleagues jokingly note her remarkable ability to recite the clinical guidelines, or 'green book,' almost verbatim.
After completing the Graduate Program, Simone thrived as an Ambulance Paramedic, soon stepping into the role of mentor for her peers. Her empathy, humour, and clinical expertise make her an exceptional partner in any ambulance crew, effortlessly defusing tense situations, while delivering the highest standard of patient care.
Simone is widely regarded as one of the most talented paramedics within ACTAS, a true superstar among her colleagues.
Simone’s career trajectory reflects her dedication and skill. After excelling as an Ambulance Paramedic, she embraced various leadership roles, including Station Leader, Educator, and On-Road Training Officer.
Last year, Simone achieved a significant milestone, qualifying as an Intensive Care Paramedic. She excelled in every assessment, demonstrating her clinical mastery and adaptability. In her ICP role, Simone has continued to shine, breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field. She inspires her colleagues daily, serving as a role model, not only for all paramedics, but especially for women aspiring to clinical leadership.
Career Highlights:
Intensive Care Paramedic, Educator, Training and Development Officer, Team Leader.
Jessica Wilson
Intensive Care Paramedic
Time in service: 13 years
Jess is an Intensive Care Paramedic that works in the ACT Ambulance Service.
Jess started her career in health care in 2009, as a Registered Nurse. After completing her studies in Paramedicine, she moved to Canberra from Tasmania to commence her career with the ACT Ambulance Service as a Graduate Paramedic in 2012. Jess progressed through her studies to achieve her Authority as an Intensive Care Paramedic, and has recently secured a position as an Intensive Care Flight Paramedic with the ACT Ambulance Toll helicopter service.
Over the past six years, Jess has been working as a Clinical Educator with the ACT Ambulance Service. This has enabled her to provide clinical education to all cohorts of ACTAS, assisting in the development of clinically competent and safe clinicians, and having a direct impact on enhancing patient outcomes through the provision of effective and safe pre-hospital care.
Jess has made a significant contribution to the ACTAS Education Department. Through Jess’ considered and authentic approach to supporting her colleagues in developing their role as clinicians and clinical educators, she has supported members of her team to develop their confidence and competence in the role. Jess is particularly supportive of her female colleagues returning from extended absence for parenting related/maternity leave, making herself available to provide sound advice related to professional and personal needs, and supporting their individual needs to enhance their experience in the workplace.
In addition to Jess’ achievements professionally, Jess is a mother of two beautiful children with her partner Anthony, who are so proud of her achievements every day.
Career Highlights:
Successful in her academic achievements – transition in clinical practice from Graduate Paramedic to Intensive Care Paramedic. Clinical Educator for the ACT Ambulance Service for six years. Recently successful in her application as an Intensive Care Flight Paramedic, commencing the role at the end of January 2025.
Jess is an Intensive Care Paramedic that works in the ACT Ambulance Service.
Jess started her career in health care in 2009, as a Registered Nurse. After completing her studies in Paramedicine, she moved to Canberra from Tasmania to commence her career with the ACT Ambulance Service as a Graduate Paramedic in 2012. Jess progressed through her studies to achieve her Authority as an Intensive Care Paramedic, and has recently secured a position as an Intensive Care Flight Paramedic with the ACT Ambulance Toll helicopter service.
Over the past six years, Jess has been working as a Clinical Educator with the ACT Ambulance Service. This has enabled her to provide clinical education to all cohorts of ACTAS, assisting in the development of clinically competent and safe clinicians, and having a direct impact on enhancing patient outcomes through the provision of effective and safe pre-hospital care.
Jess has made a significant contribution to the ACTAS Education Department. Through Jess’ considered and authentic approach to supporting her colleagues in developing their role as clinicians and clinical educators, she has supported members of her team to develop their confidence and competence in the role. Jess is particularly supportive of her female colleagues returning from extended absence for parenting related/maternity leave, making herself available to provide sound advice related to professional and personal needs, and supporting their individual needs to enhance their experience in the workplace.
In addition to Jess’ achievements professionally, Jess is a mother of two beautiful children with her partner Anthony, who are so proud of her achievements every day.
Career Highlights:
Successful in her academic achievements – transition in clinical practice from Graduate Paramedic to Intensive Care Paramedic. Clinical Educator for the ACT Ambulance Service for six years. Recently successful in her application as an Intensive Care Flight Paramedic, commencing the role at the end of January 2025.
