Ambulance Victoria was on the pulse at the 2024 Victoria Police and Emergency Services Games, as participants brought home medals across a range of sports.
Paramedic Mel Jurgens and horse Pikeur at the Games.
MICA Paramedic Mel Jurgens took part in the equestrian event in the dressage category, winning three golds.
“I loved competing at the Games. It’s a relaxed, supportive and fun environment,” she said.
Mel participated across two days, crediting her two horses for her victories.
“I rode with horses Pikeur and Little Brave, and they did a great job – they’re the athletes,” she said.
Mel won the championship in level one on her first day and for levels one and two on her second day.
“There was some tough competition to beat. Victoria Police were understandably good, given they’ve got a mounted unit.”
It was Mel’s second year competing at the Games and said she was drawn back thanks to the positive atmosphere.
“I compete locally but the Games are some of the best horse competitions I do.”
ACO Em Perazic proudly displaying her medals after the Games.
Halls Gap Ambulance Community Officer (ACO) Em Perazic competed in the swimming events, winning two silver and two bronze medals.
“It was a really fun day being able to compete and nice to come home with some medals,” Em said.
She won silver in the 50-metre butterfly and 200-metre individual medley and won bronze in the 50-metre backstroke and 50-metre breaststroke.
“I didn’t plan to compete in the 200-metre, but my friends encouraged me to so I’m glad I did,” she said.
Em swam competitively when she was younger but had since retired, so said it was great to be back in the water again.
“I thought that I wouldn’t compete again after retiring, so it was good fun to get back out there and give it a go again.”
It was Em’s third year competing in the Games and she said she would be returning.
Ambulance Victoria had a team of employees from across the state competing in a range of sports from pickleball to rock climbing.
The VPES Games ran from Sunday 20 October to Sunday 27 October and included 42 sports and 178 unique events conducted throughout Melbourne and Regional Victoria.
