About Us

Anzac Day has always been one of the events Roger has enjoyed volunteering at. He says it’s always an early start but once that is out of the way it is a day of remembrance.

“I recently discovered my great uncle volunteered for the expeditionary force in 1916. Although he passed away when I was very young, he has become someone I am quite interested in.

“I am slowly finding out bits and pieces through various records about what he did so this year I will probably view the day a bit differently.”

When Roger started volunteering with Wellington Free in 2010 there weren’t as many volunteers as there are now so events like Anzac Day needed nearly all volunteers to be available.

“Some people around me would say I have an overdeveloped sense of social responsibility and Anzac Day is one where I give can give back to the community. I also think it is an emotional day and some years definitely have a different feel – like the 100 year commemorations. It is a privilege to be part of these events.”

Roger joined Wellington Free with the interest in extending his medical skills as he’d previously been involved in rescue and response teams – including being a qualified Confined Space Responder, Response Medic, Rope Rescue Technician, and Swiftwater Responder.

“Joining Wellington Free helped give me a lot of practical experience in dealing with real patients, which was different to the scenario patients that are used a lot in rescue.”

Roger and his wife Sarah are both event medics, and carefully juggle their schedules accordingly.

As a proud new dad and a Systems Engineer for the School of Engineering and Computer Science at Victoria University it’s the difference between his event medic work and day job that keep him going as he comes into his ninth year as an event medic.

Roger will be at the Pukeahu National War Memorial Park this year, working with and overseeing his volunteer colleagues as they offer their respects and remembrance whilst ensuring the safety of the community.