Paramedic Lisa Binns has said her goodbyes to the region as she retires and heads back to Melbourne after spending the final five years of her career in the region.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A former Australian Army member Mrs Binns was a paramedic for 30 years - 20 of those was also an instructor.
Mrs Binns said she loved her time in Stawell.
"I needed a break from Melbourne and asked to be sent anywhere in regional Victoria," she said.
"There are so many differences working between regional Victoria and in metro areas.
Have a story to share? Get in touch - cassandra.langley@austcommunitymedia.com.au
"The work in Stawell was usually sick people that I attended to whereas the majority of work in Melbourne is more social work and a different type.
"People in country areas people are much more stoic and don't ring until they really need someone.
"It certainly was a much slower pace of life."
Mrs Binns said during her time in Stawell she spent a lot of it on the road with transfers to biggest hospitals such as Ballarat of Horsham.
"When transferring patients on you get some time to chat and get to know them a bit better," she said.
Want to read more of today's local news? CLICK HERE
"Because you are with patients for sometimes more than an hour you know more about them and who they are."
Mrs Binns said there was always a balance between good stories and bad while working in a small community.
"The good times are when you see people who were quite unwell and you might have helped them or transferred them on and to see them walking around town is really nice," she said.
"The other side of it is when things don't quite go so well and you see their family around town - it's a bit sad."
Mrs Binns was a medic in the Australian Army and loved the variety of work which came of being a paramedic.
"It's different every day and you get to meet so many people while you are at work," she said.
REGION REACTS TO COVID-19 ROADMAP:
- 'Ludicrous' that we can't open until November: Ararat beauty business
- Cafe Liv'indi owner 'shattered' after extended restrictions announced
- 'Disappointed': Grampians Tourism chief executive Marc Sleeman plans for next steps
- 'Hard pill to swallow': Stawell Elite Contender gym owner Damien Smith frustrated with no clear outcome
Emeregency Service work and Defence Force work runs in the Binns family. Mrs Binns son a police officer and daughter is in the navy.
Moving back to Melbourne for her retirement, she has spent time at home because of the coronavirus restrictions.
"We do have plans to travel when restrictions allow us to," she said.
"But staying at home is what life has become at the moment. It's nice to have a break."
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from The Ararat Advertiser. To make sure you're up-to-date with all the news from across the Ararat shire, sign up here.
If you are seeing this message you are a loyal digital subscriber to The Ararat Advertiser, as we made this story available only to subscribers. Thank you very much for your support and allowing us to continue telling Ararat's story. We appreciate your support of journalism in our great town.