Rev. Paul McFarlane, Senior Chaplain, NSW Ambulance

Reverend Paul McFarlane has been the Senior Chaplain at NSW Ambulance for the past 9 years, but he has been around Paramedics most of his life. 

Paul’s father was a Paramedic, and after leaving school Paul started his career as Enrolled Nurse before training to become a Registered Nurse and working in aged care.

A few years after graduation Paul felt called into the ministry and trained to become an Anglican Minister. He spent 15 years working as a pastor, first in Tamworth and then in the town of Manilla. 

In that time Paul also began serving as a volunteer Ambulance Chaplain caring for Paramedics in regional NSW. He has completed a Masters Degree in Loss and Grief, and in his current role Paul heads up a team of 55 volunteer Chaplains and trains Paramedics in stress management techniques, resilience building and providing grief support to patients and their families. 

Paul has also been a Community Ambassador with RU OK? Day since 2013 and is passionate about encouraging people to maintain supportive relationships with friends and colleagues, especially when we are worried about their mental health or wellbeing.