The SPA Committee is made up of 16 paramedic students representing three critical areas of operation: SPA national director, executive committee, sub-executive portfolios and external society representatives.

The Executive and sub-executive portfolios are chosen through SPA’s own national recruitment drive. Society representatives are external stakeholders elected via the society’s annual general meetings.

Take the time to meet our 2011 SPA committee, find out who they are below!

If you have any questions regarding SPA, please do not hesitate to contact us:

Name: Pauline “Cottee” Murcott.

Portfolio: Director
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Year level / University: Bachelor of Emergency Health (Paramedic), Monash University (Class of 2010)

Employer / Region: Ambulance Victoria, Gippsland.

Years on SPA committee: 2.

Your story in brief: My first degree was a Bachelor of Applied Science (Human Movement) followed by a Masters of Business (Event Management) in which I was employed in the event management sector and managed a private enterprise. I have two young children and live in Gippsland, Victoria. I am currently employed by Latrobe City Council and Ambulance Victoria.

What was your inspiration to become a Paramedic? Whilst growing up in Gippsland, I have developed a profound appreciation and recognition of the importance of community based emergency health services and it is our local paramedics which have been an inspiration to me for choosing Paramedicine as my career path. My previous employment experience has enabled me to interact with diverse range socio economic populations from varying demographics including indigenous, elderly, young children and special needs, which I have thoroughly enjoyed. Fortunately, studying paramedics has enabled me to contribute to my local community-based emergency health services throughout Gippsland.

What are some of your portfolio initiatives? Ensuring Student Paramedics Australasia adheres to our vision, mission and strategic goals. We will endeavour to enrich the student learning experience, by supporting the transition from student to Paramedic through social, academic, professional development and networking opportunities.

Name: Christian Winship

Portfolio: Co-Chair

University/Degree: Bachelor of Emergency Health (Paramedic), Monash University (Honours)

Current Status: Student

Years on SPA committee: Three

Background info: Straight from year twelve into the Bachelor of Emergency Health (Paramedic). Developed a keen interest in out of hospital research early in my course which has been fostered by members of staff at Monash University, with a goal of obtaining a PhD in out of hospital care.

Future goals: Paramedic registration within the next few years!

What made you want to join the most trusted profession? The adrenaline rush and a chance to work in a challenging health care environment

What have you achieved with SPA thus far? Establishment of SPA section in Response and creation of initiatives to allow a greater level of collaboration between university societies.

Name: Nicole Robertson

Portfolio: Co-Chair:

University/Degree: Bachelor of Emergency Health (Paramedic), Monash University (Class of 2011)

Current Status: Paramedic, Ambulance Victoria

Years on SPA Committee:

Background info:

Future goals:

What made you want to join the most trusted profession?

What have you achieved with SPA thus far?

Name: Tim Coultas

Portfolio:

University/Degree: Bachelor of Emergency Health (Paramedic), Monash University (Class of 2011)

Current Status: Paramedic, Ambulance Victoria

Years on SPA Committee:

Background info:

Future goals:

What made you want to join the most trusted profession?

What have you achieved with SPA thus far?

Name: Sinead Leaf

Portfolio: Administration

University/Degree: Bachelor of Emergency Health (Paramedic), Monash University (Class of 2011)

Current Status: Paramedic, Ambulance Victoria

Years on SPA Committee: This is my second year on the SPA committee

Background info:

Future goals:

What made you want to join the most trusted profession?

What have you achieved with SPA thus far?

Name: Hayden Astbury

Portfolio: Web Editor

University/Degree: Bachelor of Paramedicine, Australian Catholic University (Melbourne)

Current Status: Student

Years on SPA Committee: This is my first year on the SPA committee, hopefully more to come!

Background info: At around the age of six, I wanted to be a window cleaner (Yes... a window cleaner. The ones you see dangling from high-rise buildings) however I then suffered a beginning-of-life crisis and realised that a career in health care was something I was interested in. Sure, it may not have dawned on me at the age of six, there was plenty of contemplation and preference changing... however I've definitely made the right decision! I completed VCE in 2010 and began at ACU in 2011 and haven't looked back since. I'm currently president of ACU Melbourne's student paramedic society and am loving every minute of my degree and cannot wait to be 'on road' full time.

Future goals: I want to make a difference. My most immediate goal is to qualify as an ALS paramedic; after that... who knows?

What made you want to join the most trusted profession? The immediate interventions of pre-hospital care, the privilege of being there when another person needs you (and hopefully knowing what to do...) and the respect the public show toward paramedics. I want to continue to provide the public with a profession they can trust and respect.

What have you achieved with SPA thus far? I've been able to network with other students and paramedics, I've gained a great insight into the paramedic profession and have been able to keep students up to date through the website.

Name: Emma 'EJ' Flavell

Portfolio: Community Engagement

University/Degree: Bachelor of Emergency Health (Paramedic), Monash University (Class of 2010)

Employer / Region: Ambulance Victoria, Metropolitan then Barwon South West

Years on SPA committee: 2

Your story in brief: I finished my undergraduate training at Monash University in Melbourne in 2010 and began on road earlier this year. I have 5 years previous experience in health care, and believe that SPA provides a great opportunity for students to become involved in the paramedic community.

What was your inspiration to become a Paramedic? I like interacting with people, and helping people when they are in need. I also find learning about the human body fascinating, and being able to ease people’s stress and illness, is very appealing. Plus, being out and about in the sun is summer, is always a bonus!

What are some of your portfolio initiatives? • Promoting and encouraging Blood Donation, Organ Donation Registration.
• We are also developing a strong focus on rural and remote health and student volunteering.
• We are continuing our association with Youngcare and supporting there work in anyway we can in 2011, including the annual Conference Raffle and Thong Day.

Name: Ryan Parry

Portfolio: Publications

University/Degree: Bachelor of Health Science (Paramedic), Victoria University

Current status: Student

Years on SPA committee: First year

Background info: VUSPA President

Future goals: More inter-university and inter-state collaboration

What made you want to join the most trusted profession? A 9-5 job never really appealed to me, but emergency services did. Paramedics are highly regarded in the community for their work and I wanted to be apart of that.

What have you achieved with SPA thus far? Tripled VUSPA's membership base, obtained Publications position.

Name: CoCo Giddings

Portfolio: Program Development

University/Degree: Bachelor of Emergency Health (Paramedic), Monash University

Current Status: Student

Years on SPA Committee: Three

Background Information: My HELP debt wasn’t nearly large enough after three years studying Arts/Science at Melbourne University, so I thought I’d better enrol in something else! I now consider myself a professional student, and an expert in the field of ‘living on a shoe string’.

Future Goals: Someday, I’d like to be a Paramedic! I know that’s obvious, but studying part-time turns a three-year course into a six-year one, and sometimes I feel like I’ll never get there!

What made you want to join the most trusted profession? I knew I wanted to do something in the health care field, and after flicking through a course guide, I decided to enrol at Monash, thinking I could transfer to Nursing or Medicine if it wasn’t the right fit. Now I couldn’t imagine doing anything else! In addition to being the most trusted profession, I think we’re one of the luckiest. People are always happy to see us, and invite us into their home in their time of need. It’s a huge privilege.

What have you achieved with SPA thus far? As a co-coordinator of last year’s SPA National Conference, we were able to put together an engaging, educational and highly enjoyable conference for Paramedic students – something we are hoping to replicate this year in both Melbourne and Queensland! And although there is some way to go, I hope that we have made the Professional Development Seminars conducted by the local Paramedics Australasia chapters more accessible to students through advertising them on our website and through our social media.

Name: Nadine Longridge

Portfolio: 2011 Conference Committee

University/Degree: Bachelor of Emergency Health (Paramedic), Monash University

Years on SPA committee: This is my first year on the SPA committee.

Your story in brief: After leaving school I completed a Bachelor of Health Sciences degree giving me job options in medical trials or the pharmaceutical industry; neither of which really interested me. I then worked in a variety of industries including childcare, electrical and logistics before travelling and deciding to give paramedics a go. I am thoroughly enjoying the (BEH) course and look forward to getting out on the road next year.

What was your inspiration to become a Paramedic? I enjoy meeting people and love a challenge!

What are some of your portfolio initiatives? Organising the 2011 SPA Conference; along with Coco, Emma and Chris, which is shaping up to be a fantastic event this year! We have some amazing speakers lined up including Nick Rhoda, a MICA Paramedic in Victoria and Malcolm Woollard, a paramedic from the UK with an exceptional resume. There is also $1000 in cold-hard-cash up for grabs in our poster competition, endless networking opportunities and prizes galore. We look forward to seeing you on August 5th!

Name: Ben Baxter

Portfolio: Rural and Remote Health Initiatives

University/Degree: Bachelor of Clinical Practice (Paramedic), Charles Sturt University

Current Status: Second Year Student

Years on SPA committee: This is my first year!

Background info: I finished Year 12 in 2010 and moved out to Bathurst to start studying to be a paramedic!

Future goals: To finish my degree and join the most trusted profession! I want to keep my options open and I am considering pursuing medicine sometime in the future. I would love to work in the bush in retrieval/emergency medicine.

What made you want to join the most trusted profession? I have always had an interest in emergency services and through volunteering in the Rural Fire Service I have developed a passion for helping others in their time of need. I guess being able to do that, as a career is a great option! I chose to pursue the most trusted profession because I like to be challenged and I enjoy the professionalism the career requires.

What have you achieved with SPA thus far? So far I have met with a wonderful group of committee members in Melbourne and explored my portfolio. I will be focusing on promoting career opportunities in the bush for future paramedics as well as encouraging fellow paramedic students to undertake placement in a rural or remote area by sharing up to date information on scholarships, government grants, and advantages to placement in the bush!