Julian Smith was disembowelled after being sucked into a pool filter at the tender age of three.

Now four, Julian has recovered and he and his parents took the opportunity to thank Lorraine Gould and Heath Stimson at the ‘Thank A Paramedic Day’ held at the Wellington Ambulance Station yesterday.

Many other former patients said their thanks through speeches, including 80-year-old Stuart Town resident Ted Hannelly, who had a heart attack whilst driving his car in January 2004.

“I was driving along Mumbil Rd when I felt some pain across my chest. It got worse so I rang 000 and the paramedics met me on the side of the road on Burrendong Way,” he said.

“I had a cardiac arrest when they arrived. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t have made 80.”

The day, which included a medal ceremony for recipients of long service and good conduct medals, featured Year 10 students from St Johns College jazz combo the ‘Blue Flamingos’, who played the national anthem and provided entertainment throughout the morning.