To make a motorsport event happen, it takes a wide variety of volunteers of various roles and specialties. One critical role at events are the medical personnel. Often donning a green suit, our medical staff are key to keeping our sport safe.
 
Team Medical Australia has been at the forefront of medical services at tracks around Australia for over two decades. The nationwide operation is a thriving group of volunteers made up of highly trained and capable people. 
 
Recently celebrating their twentieth anniversary, Team Medical Australia has been a central component at many Australian events, including the Australian Grand Prix, the Supercars Championship, Shannons SpeedSeries, and a host of state and club gatherings.

This story features in the July edition of Speed Read.
 
Peter Castledine, Founder and Team Coordinator at Team Medical Australia, explained that it’s a tough but rewarding role.
 
“The reality is people don’t need us until it goes bad,” Castledine said.

“At a motorsport event there is an extra weight of expectation on the medical team to do something straight-away to make a difference. And that’s why we do it.
 

 
“Our volunteers give their time because they love motorsport, but when they can do something to make a difference, it’s really important to them.
 
“We’ve had some really good outcomes for people. That’s a massive reward for our volunteers. 
 
“There’s lots of things that go on in the background that people don’t see, it’s not just the on-track crashes. It’s the people behind-the-scenes that also benefit.”
 
When it comes to roles, it’s not just doctors and paramedics that make up Team Medical Australia. 
 
“We have drivers, doctors, nurses, paramedics and administration staff. We’re very highly skilled people with all the right equipment,” Castledine explained.
 
“We’ve got a really dedicated group of people. Just under one thousand members registered. A lot of people have been involved over our journey.”


 
The twentieth celebration, held in early July, was a well-attended affair that gave volunteers a time to revel in what Team Medical Australia has achieved.
 
Castledine, a Motorsport Australia Official of the Year in 2015, reflected on the journey that the medical team has been on.
 
“Our vision was to be a dedicated medical service to try and provide continuity of care from one event to the next.
 
“We got our first Supercars contract about 15 years ago. From the 6 Hour at Phillip Island, the Moto-GP, even going across to Singapore to help in the setting up of the first Formula One. It’s all lead on from one thing to another.
 
“We are always looking at how we can improve things – different techniques, treatments or ways we go about extrications – it’s an evolving thing and we’re always learning from different events or from around the world.”
 
For most motorsport volunteers and participants, their contribution wouldn’t be possible without the support and encouragement from the families and friends at home.
 
“For people to give up that much time to volunteer, to be away from their families, it’s a massive thing for us,” Castledine said.
 
“A big thanks goes to members, who give up so much of their time. And for the families who let us go do this job that we love.”
 
Find out more about Team Medical Australia by visiting teammedical.org.au