The Ambulance Victoria Chas Martin OAM Museum finally opened its doors on Sunday 14 April, inviting all Victorians to experience the proud history of the state’s ambulance service.
The volunteer-run museum houses an extensive collection of vintage ambulances, medical equipment, uniforms, communications equipment and more.
The museum, located in Bayswater, was the brainchild of a group of retired ambulance officers who formed the Ambulance Historic Society of Victoria in 1986.
The group began acquiring and restoring vintage ambulances, starting out with just six vehicles.
The fleet has since grown to 30, including the first Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance vehicle, a mass casualty bus and ambulance motorbikes.
Museum treasurer Darrell Rintoule said the displays provide a terrific account of the state’s pre-hospital emergency care history.
“It’s a great example of where the ambulance service used to be to what it is now,” the former paramedic said.
“Across my time, I’ve seen massive changes and all for the better for patient outcomes.”
More than 20 volunteers, many of them ex-paramedics, help run the museum.
