MICHELLE Wos would be an ideal person to call in an emergency.
With more than two decades of experience with St John Ambulance, she upholds a proud family tradition.
Her three sisters are former volunteers with the service, with her younger brother, Matt, the current cadet leader.
Ms Wos' involvement with St John started in 1986 at the age of eight when one of her sisters took her to a meeting.
She became cadet leader of the division at 18, but had started to provide first-aid training to juniors four years earlier.
After school and on weekends she would take cadets on camps and excursions to fulfil their training requirements.
Over the past nine years, Ms Wos has held the rank of divisional officer and averages 35 cadets a year in her brigade, giving them the knowledge and confidence to save lives.
She teaches more than just first aid, with people skills, communication, and how to have a calming and reassuring effect on patients under extreme pressure.
Every year, she completes 200 volunteer hours in the field and another 500 organising and preparing programs, camps, competitions, guest speakers and excursions, and also obtained the highly sought-after proficiency badge for the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
The single mother balances this heavy workload with the demands of looking after her two-year-old daughter, Sarah.
Last Friday, she was among some Wyndham residents recognised by Lalor MP Julia Gillard through the annual Above and Beyond Awards. However, Ms Wos takes it all in her stride.
"We've got a great team and I'm lucky I can now delegate many of the responsibilities.
"One of my mentors from an early age has been Len Ryan [who started the Werribee cadet division in the 1960s] and he still comes down regularly and helps organise some of our excursions. There's a lot of satisfaction which comes with giving young people the skills to be able to save somebody's life."
OTHER AWARD RECIPIENTS
* Stacey Barr for her contributions to the Werribee Basketball Association.
* Jenny Barrera who has been involved with the Werribee Community and Education Centre for 15 years and the chairwoman of the Wyndham Humanitarian Network for five.
* Heather Brett who keeps herself busy in retirement by knitting and crocheting items for the Royal Children's Hospital.
* Sue Brookshaw who has worked for the Wyndham City Salvation Army for 14 years and continues to serve as Family Support Services centre manager and as chaplain of the WynBay Power football team.
* Chris Burton for his contributions to the Werribee Junior Cricket Club including running a program which introduces youngsters to the game.
* Kim Deneys for his tireless dedication as a member of the school council at Galvin Park Secondary College, which includes 18 years as treasurer.
* Joan Fairchildfor her volunteer work in Little River with a wide range of organisations and groups including the Australian Red Cross, the Little River Historical Society and cooking for its church and school fetes.
* David Gregory who runs an exercise group for older adults with respiratory conditions and continues to serve as chairman of the Asthma Foundation of Victoria's western suburbs branch.
* Murray Holland who works as a maintenance contractor for Wyndham Lodge Community Aged Care and often goes beyond the call of duty.
* Lesley Murray for her role with the Heathdale Neighbourhood Association and the driving force behind the regeneration of the wetlands and the local Men's Shed.
* Jarryd Phipps for his involvement with the Youth Resource Centre as a volunteer with its Breakaway and Just For Guys programs.
* Cyril Ridsdale who started a recycled furniture program with Uniting Care Werribee Support and Housing. He collects donated items and delivers them to needy families.
* Noelle Simpson who volunteers her time to maintain the pantry and issues food vouchers at Uniting Care and Concern every Monday and Friday.
* Jasmina Stanic who donates her time to assist the Heathdale Neighbourhood Association.
* Fiona Stuart in recognition of her work with The Smith Family, the Heathdale Neighbourhood Association and providing toys at events such as Carols at the Wetlands.
* Vince Taylor who has been involved with the Wyndham City Swimming Club for more than 22 years, including 17 years as president.
* Stacey Taylor for her contribution to the Hoppers Crossing Gymnastics Club.
* May Joy Toke who has developed and delivered information workshops for newly arrived refugees and migrants on topics such as how to use public transport and how to live in a more sustainable way.
* Bev Williams who donates her time and talents by assisting with excursions, music, performing arts, the fundraising committee, concerts and more at Warringa Park School in Hoppers Crossing.
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