Wednesday, 18 March 2026

 Pauline RICHARDS (Cranbourne) (09:50): I rise to condole the loss of Jim Spanswick, loved husband of Hannah, a professional and compassionate paramedic and a committed trade unionist. When Hannah met Jim, he was a paramedic and Hannah was working at the Alfred hospital emergency department. She recalls how she was working in an incredibly busy ward with two other junior nurses, and Jim helped out. Indeed, he went above and beyond, and Hannah spoke about his obvious kindness. In fact after caring for patients and then transporting them to hospital, Jim would often return to see how they were. That was what impressed Hannah about Jim when she met him: his kindness and his willingness to help out.

I know the member for Melton also worked with Jim, but I wanted to express how much his career as a paramedic meant to him and his concern for his patients and people in his care. Jim was on duty during the Russell Street bombings and transported patients who were victims that day to the Royal Melbourne Hospital, and he was on duty during Ash Wednesday. Importantly, Jim supported Hannah and all of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation nurses during their strike action in 1986. He served in Nunawading as an assistant station manager and then at South Melbourne just before his retirement. After he retired, he often wondered how his patients were.

I want to read and have recorded into Hansard what the member for Melton wrote to me upon learning of Jim’s passing.

Jim was a fantastic person and a wonderful paramedic that started with Ambulance Victoria in 1974 and was great to work with.

Jim was born in the Shetland Islands. He passed away in Melbourne. I was very proud to have him in my community. Vale, Jim Spanswick.