Tony Walker (ASM): Workplace Mental Health, Walking the Talk

Mindarma

Tony Walker ASM is the Chief Executive Officer at Ambulance Victoria. Tony is a Registered Paramedic with over thirty-five years’ experience working in a range of senior clinical, operational and leadership roles within the ambulance sector. Over the past six years he has led significant transformation at Ambulance Victoria to improve the health and wellbeing of their workforce and the response they provide to the community.

Tony also holds an adjunct appointment as Associate Professor in the College of Health and Biomedicine at Victoria University and is a Fellow of the Australian College of Paramedicine. Tony is also a Non-Executive Director of the Emergency Services Foundation, the Australasian Council of Ambulance Authorities and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

Tony is a recipient of the Ambulance Service Medal (ASM) for his contribution to the development of ambulance services at a state and national level . He has also been awarded the Australian Resuscitation Council Medal for his significant contributions to improving resuscitation practice and outcomes. He was recently a finalist for the Australian Mental Health Prize in 2019 in recognition of his work in improving paramedic mental health and wellbeing.

When it comes to workplace mental health, Tony Walker is one leader who is wholeheartedly walking the talk. It was a pleasure to speak with Tony about his career as a paramedic and why protecting the mental health of his workforce is at the top of his agenda as a leader. We hope you enjoy this candid interview with the authentic and inspiring Associate Professor Tony Walker.