About Kenneth James McPherson
In 1987 a Queensland Ambulance Officer (QAS), aged 27, lost his life in an aerial ambulance crash in Bundaberg. His name was Kenneth James (Jim) McPherson. Jim embodied the qualities of QAS uniformed staff today—compassionate, accountable, respectful, ethical, responsible and sensitive.
He demonstrated a strong commitment to education, training and research. The KJ McPherson Education and Research Foundation was established in his name to provide opportunities for research and education into out-of-hospital health care.
Jim McPherson had lived ambulance services throughout his short life. The son of John and Jean McPherson, Jim was born on 16 January 1960 in Brisbane into a family of patient carers. His father was an ambulance officer with Queensland Ambulance Transport Brigade (QATB) and his mother was a nurse.
His early exposure to ambulance was very broad, with his father serving in many places, rural, remote and urban, including Brisbane, Theodore, Thursday Island, Kingaroy and Rockhampton.
Jim served as an Honorary Ambulance Officer in Kingaroy from the age of 17 and was appointed permanently at 19. He was later appointed to Bundaberg where his duties included that of Aerial Ambulance Attendant.
It was characteristic of Jim to contribute above and beyond the call of duty. He was highly competent with video equipment, a skilled first aid instructor and heavily involved in QATB fundraising activities at Kingaroy and Bundaberg. Jim was an outstanding professional with a commitment to developing his skills in order to provide the best possible care to patients. Jim’s father, John McPherson, served as a QATB Superintendent across the State and retired as Deputy Commissioner Operations QAS. John and Jean both served on the trust and foundation committees for many years.
Jim was awarded the Queensland Ambulance Distinguished Service Medal on 23 June 1992.
History of the foundation
Established in 1988 as a memorial to Kenneth James (Jim) McPherson, the foundation honours all Queensland Ambulance Service staff who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.
As a not-for-profit foundation, we’re dedicated to supporting research and development through grants to our uniformed officers.
Our mission is to promote out-of-hospital research that directly enhances the health of Queenslanders. Our work is funded through partnerships, donations and bequests.
Since 1998, the foundation has awarded over $800,000 in research and development funding.
Our patron
In 2005, Major General Professor John Pearn AO, KStJ, RFD was appointed as Patron for the foundation.
As a respected practitioner, author, and academic, he adds professional credibility and guides the foundation's goals to align with out-of-hospital research efforts, and our dedication to advancing research.
For more information, read our KJM Foundation history booklet [PDF 3682.24 KB].