Long-serving St John volunteer David Heard receives OAM

David Heard has been recognised for his multiple volunteering roles within the community.

Liana Webster

Jun 8, 2025 — 3 min read

David Heard poses with his granddaughter, Emily, at his recognition as the longest serving member of St John Ambulance. Photo: Supplied.

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David Heard, like many Order of Australia medal recipients, is certainly honoured and humbled to receive such an acknowledgement.

It was just last year that he was recognised as Saint John Ambulance’s longest serving volunteer in the world.

Although now retired, Mr Heard still continues to serve as treasurer of the St John Ambulance Historical Society.

"Volunteers are there because they want to be there, not because there's a pay-packet," he said.

Since transferring to the Murray Bridge branch in 1954 Mr Heard was appointed divisional officer and then superintendent.

He travelled weekly to Mannum to train locals, and helped form divisions in Mannum, Karoonda, Mount Barker and assisted the set up in Meningie and Mount Pleasant.

He fondly looks back at some of the memories from his time with St Johns, such as training for the scenario of an atomic bomb striking or going 100 mph on Port Road, in the newly imported Austin Sheerline ambulance.

He helped the first females join the Murray Bridge division, therefore making it the first combined division in the state.

Mr Heard grew up in Colonel Light Gardens, where he completed primary school before finishing up at Urrbrae Agricultural High for senior schooling.

Thereafter he was recruited as a refrigeration mechanic after completing a academic test suggesting he was gifted in the mechanical industry.

In 1954 he made his way to Brinkley: “I was courting a girl, who later turned into my wife,” he said.

It was here the mechanic turned farmer: “the manager was about to retire and my (father-in-law) asked if I would take over, and I said ‘I’d give it a go.’”

Mr Heard ran piggeries, cropping, irrigation, and even sheep on what ended up to be a 2000 acre property along the river, all while volunteering with St Johns.

So, what made Mr Heard sign up to the organisation in the first place? The uniform of course: “My brother came home with a fabulous uniform, which was nothing like the scouts one I had.”

“I thought ‘that looks pretty good,’ so that’s how I got into it.”"

David Heard reflects on his time as a volunteer. Photo: Liana Webster

Among all his other volunteer hats, he was also involved with the Murray Bridge Rowing Club for many years and was appointed Patron of the club.

If Mr Heard can still volunteer his time, as 92 years old, I'm sure the rest of us can do our little bit as well.

“St Johns are always looking for more volunteers to complete the team… last year we covered 162 events in the region,” Mr Heard said.

"You've got to have fun and look after your volunteers."

Become a volunteer: www.stjohnsa.com.au/volunteering.

Summary of David Heard's service

St John Ambulance, South Australia

Corps Superintendent, Murraylands Region, 1973-2005.
Superintendent, Murray Bridge Ambulance Division, 1962-1973.
Divisional Officer, Murray Bridge Ambulance Division, 1957-1962.
Adult Member, since 1948.
Cadet Member, Colonel Light Gardens Cadet Division, 1944-1948.
Ultra-Long Service Medal with four gold service bars, 2021.

St John State Council, South Australia

Country Ambulance Service Representative, 1982-1989.
Country St John Order Member, 1989-1998, and 1999-2005.

St John Ambulance Historical Society South Australia

Treasurer, since 2005.
Member, current.

South Australian Ambulance Service

Volunteer Ambulance Officer Representative, South Australian Ambulance Board, 1985-1992.
Ex-officio Member, Volunteer Ambulance Officers Advisory Committee, South Australian Ambulance Board, 1985-1993.

Murray Bridge and District Ambulance Branch Committee