The Cobden couple aged in their 80s have clocked up 73 years' combined service to the first aid provider and this week were presented with a Manchester Unity community award for their efforts.

Although Mr Webster was grateful for the recognition he said the award surprised him.

"I couldn't believe it when they told us about it," he said.

"We haven't really done anything exceptional. We were just cruising along and doing what we had to do."

Ill health forced Mr Webster to retire from St John two years ago.

His wife joined the service in 1971 and it wasn't too many years after that Mr Webster registered.

"I would go along to events with Ida and sit there and wait. Then I thought why not give it a go?

"We really enjoyed our time with St John. We made a lot of friends."

Mrs Webster retired from active duty about six years ago.

The couple's most memorable event was the Ash Wednesday fires.

They were called to treat a burns victim at Nullawarre. Along Baileys Road near Naringal, Mrs Webster could see the smoke from the raging inferno.

"It was miles away, way over in the distance," Mr Webster said.

"Then two seconds later it was right there in front of us. We had to do a U-turn and get out of there. Then the fuel pump went on the old ambulance.

"I just let it coast for about quarter of a mile then luckily it kicked back in again. It was bloody scary."

Mr Webster's retirement signalled the end of Cobden St John. His trusty ambulance is now proudly displayed in a St John museum in Melbourne.

"The ambulances these days can only carry one patient but ours could carry four. We had a great time. Really enjoyed ourselves."