In the back, it had room for two stretchers, a wooden chest for supplies and a seat for the attendant. Mr Bill Gilhome was appointed the driver/caretaker at 30 shillings ($3) per week.

It was not until 1946 that the contract to build an ambulance station in Otho Street was signed. Inverell architect, Bob Lockwood, designed the two-storey brick building which was built by Ben Wade.

The ground floor had room for four ambulances, a committee room, office, staff room and up-to-date casualty room.

The residence for the officer-in-charge was on the second floor. Mr Alfred Pollard was the first officer to live on the premises.

Before the station was built, volunteer operators George Devine and Percy Finlen were drivers who took the ambulance home each night they were on call. They travelled long distances throughout the district.  

Superintendent Harold Walsh was appointed in 1952 and with him came a new Ford custom wagon which he drove from Sydney, all fitted out with the up-to-the-minute necessary equipment and room for two stretcher cases and two sitting-up patients.

The purchase of this vehicle meant the ambulance service now had two wagons and one car at Inverell and one wagon at Warialda.

By 1953, all broadcast calls for the ambulances were through Radio 2NZ. The ambulance, like the hospital, was locally funded. There were always fundraising events, including the popular Annual Radio Movie Ball held at the Town Hall.

For a small fee, first aid sessions were available for Guides and Scouts.

Eventually, extensions were made at the rear of the ambulance station, while the front of the building was closed to the public for more office space. By the 1970s, the government had taken over the ambulance service, and fundraising began for an air ambulance service.

Today, Inverell Ambulance still maintains a much appreciated and very high standard of service in our district.