Senior Control Centre Officer Gordon Garlick spent his final day at the Dubbo Ambulance Station celebrating his retirement with family and colleagues. 

Colleagues said he has left behind a lasting legacy and would be deeply missed by them and the NSW community he diligently served. 

Mr Garlick was farewelled after serving 20 of his 40 years with NSW Ambulance Service in Dubbo. 

He first became a paramedic in May 1978 at Rozelle. After working in Bathurst he was transferred in 1998 to Dubbo where he has since served as the Senior Control Centre Officer. 

“The biggest highlight for me was the introduction of computerised dispatch centre, when I first started it was all paper based, with conveyor belts, it was all done manually by hand,” he said. 

“I was fortunate to be on the shift when it was first implemented, I was one of the officers-in-charge to make sure all the transitions went smoothly and to this date we are still using them.

“In this role, I found satisfaction. I’ve loved the job for the whole of the 40 years, mainly because each day has been different. I think that’s what made the job so unique.

“The team I work with, you couldn’t wish for any better team. They are so cooperative, they all help each other and we worked so well.” 

Mr Garlick said he plans to take it easy in his retirement, spending time with family and travelling. 

“Being a paramedic is very constant, you come across some work that’s not particularly good to see, being a paramedic, you’ve just got to get in there, the main focus is helping the patient and being with them in the transport experience.”

He said he was looking forward to “not being tied to a phone”.

“It will be a great relief for me, I’ve been tied to a phone for 38 years and it would be a great relief to walk away from here today without a phone.”  

Chief Superintendent John Stonestreet said Mr Garlick will be deeply missed by the team because dry wit and caring nature. 

“It means a loss of a lot of experience, he’s made a lot of friends over the years, they’re all going to be sad to see him go.

“I’ve known Gordon since the 80s and his passion for the job hasn’t changed nor his dedication to duty.

“I’m positive his legacy will remain, he’s had a lot of influence on people, he’s trained a lot of people, he’ll never be forgotten and he’ll be always the subject of conversation around the desks. ​