KINGLAKE, VIC. — Ambulance Victoria’s Kinglake Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is celebrating a significant milestone – 25 years of delivering exceptional service and care.
Ambulance Victoria’s Kinglake Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is celebrating a significant milestone – 25 years of delivering exceptional service and care.
At the anniversary event on October 3, 2026, Kinglake CERT Team Leader Deb English reflected on the team’s beginnings.
“Whilst there were multiple goals, the most important was to sustain life and protect the injured until the arrival of the appropriate professional medical services,” Deb said.
“Now is no different. We’re still here and we continue to provide a necessary and important emergency care service to the Kinglake community.”
The team’s response area extends approximately 40 kilometres from north to south and 42 kilometres east to west of the Kinglake township.
Originally titled the Kinglake Ambulance First Response Team, it became operational in September 2001.
Its inception was one of necessity. At the time, the nearest 24-hour ambulance station was about 35 kilometres away and it was not unusual for residents to wait at least 35 minutes or more for an ambulance to arrive.
The inaugural team was a mix of local community volunteers, first responder volunteers, and MAS representatives.
During the 25-year celebration event at Kinglake Ambulance Station, which was opened by then Premier of Victoria Ted Ballieu in February 2013, Deb reflected on the team’s various homes over the years.
“In its early days, the CERT team did not have a place to call its own. Whilst the CERT vehicle could be parked at the Kinglake West CFA shed, it spent more time moving around different team member’s homes,” Deb explained.
“Training for the first 12 years of Kinglake CERT was held wherever we could, at various team member’s homes, the Murrindindi Community Health building, and the Kinglake Tennis Club rooms where coins had to be fed into the heater so the team could stay warm.”
The CERT faced far bigger challenges when the Black Saturday bushfires in February 2009 devastated Kinglake and surroundings.
Now retired members Vicky and Ian Dunell, with Bart Wunderlich, were awarded a Group Citation for Bravery after attending a CFA truck rollover and have each been awarded an Ambulance Service Medal (ASM) in the Australia Day honours.
Lorraine Casey, another now retired member, was awarded the nation’s second highest honour for bravery, the Star of Courage, after she rescued a friend on the night of the fires.
“It was a traumatic time for the community. More than half our members lost their homes. Everyone was affected and many members moved out of the area. There was a lot of work to be done to build our team numbers back up,” Deb said.
The team has fluctuated from six to as many as 22 members over the years.
There are currently seven operational members, including three new members, while the remaining four members have more than 40 years’ combined experience of CERT volunteering.
Since 2019, Kinglake CERT has been awarded Ambulance Victoria’s Metro West Team of the Year, and three team members have been recognised with four Outstanding First Responder Awards.
Ambulance Victoria Metro 1 Acting Regional Director James Tehan said the 25-year story of Kinglake CERT was one of dedication and service.
“The number one thing that hasn’t changed since day dot is the dedication of Kinglake CERT’s volunteers,” he said.
“Ambulance Victoria would like to take the opportunity to thank all the members of the Kinglake CERT team, past and present, for their service.
“Those who have, and continue to be a part of, the Kinglake Community Emergency Response Team, who selflessly give their time to keep their community safe no matter what. Thank you.”
