The career of local paramedic Sandy Kahn was recognised at a retirement morning tea in his honour late last month.

Friends and colleagues joined Kahn at Mason Clarke coffee shop to acknowledge his 36 years of service to Ambulance Victoria and to ring in his retirement.

Above - Sandy, centre, pictured with Terry Marshall, Regional Director Grampians Region, and Ron Nooteboom.

Fellow Paramedic Ron Nooteboom said that Sandy has had an outstanding career, and will be missed.

"We're sad to see him go," Ron said.

Sandy moved to the Wimmera in 2005 as a group manager before retiring, only to return as an on-road paramedic. He joined the Dimboola team in February 2014.

His commitment has been influential in achieving many benefits for the Wimmera community.

He has been involved with the development of new ambulance stations in Horsham and Rupanyup, as well as seeing new staff employed across the district. Importantly these staff have been recruited locally.

An increase in staff at Stawell and an improved focus on occupational health and safety have also been highlights of Sandy's career, including him seeing all paramedics in the Wimmera attaining Advanced Life Support Skills.

A focus on collaboration between agencies has been another of his efforts, with a greater level of cooperation now between Ambulance Victoria and South Australian Ambulance Service as well as with various rural health organisations in our area.

Through his close working relationship with Wimmera CSO Julian Cofield, Sandy saw a dramatic improvement in patient outcomes.

He received the National Service Medal for 35 years of service to his community in June 2014 and, earlier this year, was awarded the Ambulance Service Medal in the Australia Day honours list.

At the time Ron said that Sandy is a fitting and worthy recipient of the award.

"He displays every aspect that Ambulance Victoria and indeed the Victorian community would expect from its paramedics. He has been innovative, visionary and a true leader in rural, pre-hospital emergency care," Ron said.

"Sandy has never sought the limelight nor has he worked for public recognition or acknowledgement."