Ulladulla Ambulance Station manager Michael Mastronardi has been presented a Community Service Award for his service to the Student Driver Education program launched at Ulladulla High School 25 years ago.
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After attending a fatal accident with police officer Ken McDonald near Termeil in 1990, Mr Mastronardi was determined to improve young driver safety on the roads.
The pair joined forces with school teachers and community groups to get the program on the road and, 25 years later, it is still going strong with Mr Mastronardi at the helm.
Member for South Coast Shelley Hancock, who was a teacher at the school when the program was launched, commended Mr Mastronardi on his dedication to the project and to the young people of the Milton-Ulladulla district.
She presented him with a State Government Community Service Award on Monday, with his family and other driver education volunteers enjoying a morning tea with Minister for Disabilities, Ageing and Volunteering, The Hon John Ajaka MP.
Mrs Hancock said the award recognised individuals who have substantially contributed to the improvement of the quality of life of members of their community, beyond that expected in their usual occupation.
The criteria includes that the nominee should be held in high regard in the community with strong ethical and community values and only community work of a high calibre will be considered for the award.
“The above certainly encapsulates the tireless work and dedication of Mr Michael Mastronardi for over 25 years as a member of the Milton Ulladulla Driver Education organisation and team,” Mrs Hancock said.
“Michael is a lynchpin in a lifesaving young driver awareness program.”
Mr Mastronardi said he was embarrassed, very proud and humbled by the award.
“We’ve put a lot of young students through,” he said.
“Thanks to everyone involved and the principal and teachers at the school who tell the kids ‘do this course, it’ll save your life’.
“It’s really important that we keep this thing alive.”
Paramedic Matt Potter, who is now part of the program, also congratulated Mr Mastronardi on his award and said the initiative had saved a lot of lives.
“We’ve been pretty blessed in this community, we generally don’t see a lot of multi fatality accidents involving young people – and that’s extraordinary,” he said.
“I think the impact that Michael and all the people that have been involved in this project and the community organisations that have donated $12,000 a year to fund the project have definitely saved lives.
“Michael does it as a volunteer and he took it on because he wanted to save lives.”
Mr Potter said Mr Mastronardi had inspired “a new generation of ambos at our station to get involved”.
Mrs Hancock said the committee continued to work for a common goal, through education to reduce youth mortality in road crashes.
“The only program I am aware of presented in a three day multi-faceted format, students participate in discussions with police, fire and ambulance personnel about drink driving, common driving offences, first aid, road rescue and a practical driving component,” she added.
Michael has voluntarily shared his expertise with more than 2,500 students over the past 25 years, often before and after gruelling work shifts and sometimes with little sleep but with much enthusiasm.
“I’d like to acknowledge his follow officer, intensive care paramedic Matt Potter who also gives of his time to assist Michael and students in the presentation and practical components of the course,” Mrs Hancock said.
“Michael encouraged Ulladulla Rotary to become involved, a local car company to provide the practical component vehicles and is involved with sponsorship projects to ensure the program runs annually.
“Further he liaises with the local high schools, the emergency services and the press - he attends community organisation meetings to give presentations on the program and its successes, seeks sponsorships and personally delivers thank you certificates to those who support the program.
“I am delighted and proud to have been able to nomination Michael for this prestigious award, an honour well deserved and I am pleased to have Minister Ajaka here in Ulladulla to present this award to Michael,” Mrs Hancock concluded.
Watch Michael and Matt’s speeches here: