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We are the only emergency ambulance service in greater Wellington and the Wairarapa, and the only ones in the country who are free.
We are the only emergency ambulance service in greater Wellington and the Wairarapa, and the only ones in the country who are free.
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Thank you and farewell, Board member Stephen Ward
Thank you and farewell, Board member Stephen Ward
15 June 2023
Thank you and farewell, Board member Stephen Ward
Stephen Ward is stepping down from the Wellington Free Ambulance Board after 8 years of service. We asked Stephen to look back on some of the highlights of his time on the Board.
Reflecting on his 8 years as a Board member, there is a strong theme running through Stephen’s recollections.
For Stephen, community support and strong relationships have been at the heart of his experience. This includes Stephen’s sense of being part of a cohesive team thanks to the collaborative relationship between the Board and the WFA leadership team.
In addition to the Board of WFA, Stephen sits on a number of commercial boards and is a consultant in the corporate and commercial department of Simpson Grierson. Stephen is also a trustee of the Life Flight Trust which works closely with WFA looking after the Wellington and Wairarapa communities. He has been pleased to bring his commercial skills to the board table.
Reflecting on his 8 years
Stephen joined the Board through his role as a trustee of the Life Flight Trust. He is proud to have been part of an “iconic Wellington organisation” that’s allowed him to give back to his community, something that is very important to Stephen.
It is this connection to Wellington that has driven Stephen. Highlights for him over the last eight years include the build of the new Kāpiti Station and the announced new Wairarapa station to be built in Masterton.
Opened in May 2016, the Kāpiti Station was realised in part due to the way the community got behind the build, raising an incredible $1 million. He is sure the Wairarapa community will provide similar support for the new station in Masterton.
The demand for WFA services has grown throughout Stephen’s tenure and he is proud “the support from the community has allowed us to meet the increased need to sustain our operations”.
He is especially proud that “the immense generosity from our community has ensured the continuation of the ethos of Wellington Free Ambulance” – namely, that we continue to be able to provide an ambulance service free to members of the Greater Wellington and Wairarapa communities.
As Stephen’s time on the WFA Board draws to a close, his parting words are to “acknowledge the very generous donors and foundations for their strong, continuing support of WFA”.
It’s truly been a team effort for Stephen and we’re incredibly grateful for his expertise and guidance.