Medic earns praise at COVID-19 pop-up clinics

Medic Private John Daley is honoured to help provide COVID-19 vaccinations in regional and remote NSW, and especially likes the positive feedback from the public.

CAPTION: Private John Daley assists a member of the Orange community before receiving their Covid-19 Vaccination at the Orange Vaccination Hub as a part of NSW Operation COVID-19 Assist. Story by Lieutenant Brendan Trembath. Photo by Corporal Dustin Anderson.

“A lot of people come in and say, ‘that was really good’. They are quite surprised with how little vaccine there is [per dose] and how small the needles are,” Private Daley said.

“When they say: ‘it’s the best vaccination I have had’, it is very rewarding.”

Five Australian Defence Force vaccination support teams have helped NSW Health to vaccinate as many people as possible in cities and towns west of the Blue Mountains, from Lithgow to Lightning Ridge.

Private Daley was inspired to join the ADF because of a strong service tradition in his family.

He was born to Army parents in Townsville, Australia’s largest garrison city.

When his father discharged from the Army the family moved to the NSW South Coast.

After attending Nowra Anglican College at Bomaderry, he enlisted in the Army.

Army Recruit Training followed at Kapooka, near Wagga Wagga, at the end of 2015 and then he went to the Army School of Health in Albury-Wodonga in 2017.

His career path reflects a desire to help people.

“I was always interested in health growing up and I always wanted to be in the Army as well, so I thought to combine the two,” he said.

The enthusiastic Army medic said being assigned to Joint Task Group 629 on Operation COVID-19 Assist had been a highlight of his ADF service.

“The ADF is supporting NSW Health by providing extra vaccination capacity and it is working well. Everyone just gels together,” Private Daley said.

“It’s what we sign up for – to provide service to our country and our people.”

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