Andrew Wood
Born 13 November 1970 to Michael and Jane Wood, Andrew is one of six siblings, with a three generation connection to Salesian College Chadstone. Attending the College between 1993 – 1996, Andrew was a Peer Support Leader and a Don Bosco Camp Leader for 5 years. Tertiary education for Andrew took place at Monash University, where he studied a Bachelor of Sport and Outdoor Recreation and a Bachelor of Teaching. Carrying the life lessons of Don Bosco, Andrew spent time at Interchange, an organisation for agencies providing family respite and social opportunities for children and young people with a disability. He applied university theory and skills while willingly embracing 46-day wilderness trek therapy programs with Native Alaskan youth while lecturing at the Monash University Faculty of Education. An avid Ski Patroller and Life Saver, Andrew taught Sudanese refugees at the Brotherhood of Saint Lawrence and volunteered with the St Vincent De Paul Soup Van.Currently Acting Station Officer at the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, with a seven-year service to date, Andrew was the tenth recipient in the history of the MFB to receive the Valour Medal for his extraordinary role in rescuing others at the Middle Park gas explosion in 2014.
Despite his own life threatening injuries, saving the lives of others remained his priority. Post this experience, Andrew has been actively lobbying for a law to be passed to support firefighters who have contracted work-related cancer, as well as shedding light on mental illness in men.
Andrew received an official Victoria Police Commendation and was nominated as Australian of the Year and Pride of Australia. Post the Middle Park explosion that almost took his life, Andrew completed a 12 month firefighter exchange to Vancouver Island, Canada.
Andrew is married to wife Tahnee. Together, they have a son, Fraser.
Andrew says, “When I reflect on my time at Salesian College Chadstone, the benefits really come to mind. Thinking back to the male friendships that I made at school and still have today (and the same for my brother), we were so fortunate that we went to a school that provided such solid male bonding opportunities and mateship.”
College Achievements
Year
Name
Achievement
2016
Andrew Wood
Hall Of Fame Inductee - Bravery and Community
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