Yowah local Scott Shorten was named the 2018 Queensland Hero, with his commitment to helping improve health outcomes for the entire community second to none. Scott used his Ergon Energy Retail Grant to help purchase and fit out an old ambulance. The Yowah community, like other rural communities, look out for each other in times of need. Scott said he was humbled to be awarded the RFDS Local Hero award, having been involved in helping the Yowah community for many years. “My mother was one of three women in her family who first got the Flying Doctor to come out in the 70s,” Scott said. “I ran the medical clinic here for a long time and have really been involved in some way ever since.” Yowah patients were being transported in the back of utes, or four-wheel drives which was not proving to be a long-term solution, and so Scott came up with the idea to repurpose an old ambulance. “I bought an old ambulance with the grant and some other donated funds and then we got together with the local caravan park and we said ‘righto, we have to do everything now',” he said. “All of our evacuations were being done in the back of four-wheel drives, and we wanted to be able to make sure patients were comfortable and being transported safely. “We got a stretcher which was a second hand one from Wagga Wagga and the gentleman drove it up here to us so that was fitted to the back of the ambulance. “It has been phenomenal to have this service. “To give you an idea, last week they used it three times to meet the ambulance in Cunnamulla.” Scott said the ambulance has now been added to the local Rural Fire Service's fleet, although is still driven by several local volunteers. “They keep a check of all the maintenance, ensuring the ambulance has fuel and is insured and so on to keep the service running for the community. “The ambulance remains driven by volunteers who give their time to ensuring patients get the best care possible.” Without the healthcare services provided to the community by RFDS (Queensland Section), Scott said many residents, including himself, wouldn't be left with any option but to move to a bigger town. “We get great medical services out here and we are very fortunate.” Scott encouraged people to nominate anyone in their community who they believe is worthy of the award, with it helping to raise awareness of the great work people do. “People who are nominated might not want to be recognised but it is great because it gets the word out there and makes people aware,” he said. “It is very important that people are recognised for their work.”