Katherine paramedic Rhys Dowell has been honoured as the 2021 recipient of the Northern Territory Ambulance Service Medal.
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The medal was awarded by the Governor-General on recommendation from Chief Minister Michael Gunner as part of the 2021 Australia Day Honours, following a 20-year career in the region.
"Very humbling," Mr Dowell told the Katherine Times.
"Everything we do from a pre-hospital, paramedic point of view is very much a team effort, so for me to be to be recognised is also a big recognition of the team I am working with.
"Being a paramedic based here and having the opportunity to travel around the Territory and help out multiple other communities has been a great personal achievement.
"Personally, I just feel like I've been doing my job, day in, day out."
Mr Dowell began his service with St John Ambulance NT as one of the first cadets in the new Katherine Division in 2001. He became a full-time paramedic in 2010, and just five years later was appointed Officer-in Charge of the Katherine station.
Mr Dowell played an integral role in establishing the new Katherine Ambulance Station.
And is also a key driving force behind the Junior Cadet Division, which educates and trains local youth in valuable first aid skills.
In the wake of a year where frontline staff put themselves on the line to care for others, Mr Dowell said the recognitions is a "high accolade" for himself and the service.
"2020 - with Covid - has been a big year for all front line personnel and health staff," he said.
"We don't get into the job for recognition, we get out there and try to care for the community in need - a lot of us would probably back away from recognition - so any sort of recognition is an acknowledgement of the team."
St John NT CEO Judith Barker said Mr Dowell has gone above and beyond throughout his career to have a positive impact on the health and safety of his community.
"I am extremely proud of Rhys and his achievements," she said.
"His dedication to caring for his community and willingness to guide and lead others makes him an incredible role model and invaluable member of the St John NT team."
"He has demonstrated superior commitment to St John NT and the community of Katherine throughout his more than 20 year career."
St John Ambulance volunteer, Ron Green, who in 2019 won a bravery award after risking his life to protect a neighbor from a knife-wielding attacker, said the award was "totally deserved".
"I've know [Mr Dowell] for probably 10 years now and everything he does he does to the best of his ability," he said.
"His interaction with people, his organisation, his passion, both as a volunteer and a paid staff member, has been amazing.
"As an OIC in Katherine, he was huge in supporting the volunteers to work with the paramedics on shift if they needed help to get them involved as much as he could."
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