How Geelong Led Australia in Ambulance Design and Training

Name: Geelong Design Week
Address: AU

Presented by Geelong Region Branch National Trust (Vic) and the Victorian Ambulance Historical Society

Saturday 3 October 12.30pm – 1.30pm

Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre, 80 Western Beach Rd, Geelong 3220

WaterfrontCivic PrecinctOctober 3Free EventTalkExperience & Service DesignProduct & Industrial Design

Book Tickets

Discover the remarkable story of Allan Cumming, the Geelong designer whose innovative ambulance designs transformed healthcare provision across Victoria. This illustrated talk explores the evolution of ambulance design during the 1950s and 1960s, highlighting Cumming’s significant contribution to emergency care and vehicle design.

Complementing the presentation, two historic Ford ambulances will be on display at The Carousel from 10am-2pm, with former ambulance drivers in attendance to share stories and insights into the vehicles’ operation and design. Visitors will also have the opportunity to explore a poster exhibition showcasing the history, development and impact of these pioneering ambulance designs.

Bringing together industrial design, engineering innovation and healthcare history, this session offers a unique perspective on a Geelong design success story that helped shape emergency services across Victoria.

Bio

Vivienne Lewis has a long personal association with Victoria’s regional ambulance services. As a child, she grew up living in the newly built Geelong Ambulance Station from 1952. She was intimately involved in the changes instigated by her father, Geelong’s first ambulance superintendent Mr Allan Cumming, which led to improved ambulance designs and recognition of professional training to benefit the health of our citizens.

This talk, the culmination of many years of academic research, brings together her personal reflections; documentation held in the Chas Martin OAM Victorian Ambulance Museum and St John Ambulance Museum archives; public records; published accounts and family memorabilia, supported by a display of vintage locally developed ambulances, to demonstrate the significant role of Geelong in ambulance service provision.