HALF A CENTURY OF SERVICE: VETERAN PARAMEDIC STEPHEN POLLARD RETIRES
- Steph Cooke MP
- May 1
- 2 min read
After an extraordinary 50-year career in emergency service, one of New South Wales’s longest-serving paramedics has officially retired.
Stephen Pollard’s career spans the transformation of paramedicine from a transport-focused service into a highly skilled, frontline medical profession.
For the past 30 years, Mr Pollard has been stationed at the Young Ambulance Station.
Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke, paid tribute to Mr Pollard at a special presentation on Tuesday, recognising both his professional legacy and his impact on the local community.
“Fifty years of service is just extraordinary, and Steve’s contribution is truly next level,” Ms Cooke said.
“Steve is deeply respected across the emergency services family and truly loved by the community in Young.”
“Over the past eight and a half years, I have turned to Steve on many occasions for his advice and counsel as we’ve worked to deliver better outcomes for paramedics across the electorate.”
“Those outcomes simply would not have been possible without his experience, insight and unwavering commitment to the profession.”
Known for his calm demeanour and clinical skill under pressure, Mr Pollard built a reputation as one of the most respected paramedics in the state.
Beyond the frontline, Mr Pollard was a strong advocate for paramedics, serving as President of the Health Services Union Ambulance Sector.
He championed improved mental health support, workplace safety standards and professional recognition for paramedics across New South Wales.
His legacy also lives on through the next generation, including his son Ian, now a paramedic at Young Ambulance Station.
“Day and night, he turned up for people when they needed it most, no matter how big or small the job,” Ian Pollard said.
Colleague Nathan McEvoy said Mr Pollard’s leadership extended beyond clinical expertise.
“Steve taught us resilience, not just on the job, but as people. He reminded us that even the strongest need support sometimes,” Mr McEvoy said.
Mr Pollard was formally farewelled with a guard of honour attended by colleagues, emergency service personnel, family and friends.
While much has changed in paramedicine over the past five decades, his peers agree that Mr Pollard’s compassion, professionalism and ‘old school’ bedside manner remained constant.
Ms Cooke said his absence will be deeply felt across the region.
“We are going to miss Steve terribly, but his legacy will live on in the lives he’s saved, the people he’s mentored, and the community he’s served so selflessly,” she said.
Mr Pollard now looks forward to a well-earned retirement, though colleagues expect he will remain a familiar face, continuing to support and mentor the next generation of paramedics.
