Stalwart Capalaba paramedic John Bradbury calls time on long career with Queensland Ambulance Service

Mr Bradbury has spent about 20 years working on North Stradbroke Island in some capacity, having served as officer in charge and completed stints in holiday relief and management.

He would continue to help people in retirement, but said he would also take time out to go caravanning with his wife and improve his golf game.

"I do a lot of volunteer work with Palliative Care Queensland on the Ambulance Wish Program," he said.

"I'm going to enjoy having more time to do that. That's where we take palliative patients out for a final wish.

"We've taken them to the football, or down to the seaside to have a look at the bay and all that sort of stuff.

"I've got my own caravan, so my wife and I are very keen to get away."

Mr Bradbury said he loved his job and considered it a pleasure to have dealt with so many different people over the years.

"I really get a kick out of being a paramedic," he said.

"I'm one of those people that say if you've found a job you love, you'll never work a day in your life.

"I feel that way about being a paramedic, just being able to go into people's homes and help people."

Mr Bradbury said there was a level of isolation working as a paramedic on the island, but staff at the hospital had given him great support.

"We get jobs on boats, on the bay, in the surf and down by the beach with all the four-wheel driving," he said.

"I've been on boats plenty of times and driving at a high tide in the middle of the night and all that sort of stuff."

Mr Bradbury's connection to the Redlands extends beyond his work.

He has lived in the area for more than 30 years, and his great grandfather drove the first train from Brisbane to Cleveland in the 1890s.

His family has lived in the Redlands since the late 1800s.

"I've got cousins down here, so we've all sort of come back to the Redlands," Mr Bradbury said.

"My wife and I have lived at Capalaba since the 1990s."

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