CFS volunteer Kim keeps on scoring goals

Wilmington CFS volunteer Kim Gloyn hasn’t let a stroke stop her from living life to the fullest. Kim experienced her stroke 16 months ago and she’ll proudly tell you she used almost every emergency service available to her, including the Royal Flying Doctor Service, when being rushed to an Adelaide hospital. 

“It knocked my socks off,” Kim said. “I couldn’t believe it happened to me, and it was only through the support of my wonderful husband, family and friends that I am where I am today.” 

Now, though, that’s all just a memory, after representing the SA Country Fire Service at the Australian Police & Emergency Services Games (AP&ES Games) in Hobart in March 2025, playing hockey in a team of mostly South Australian and Victorian police members called the Tassie Wallopers.

“I had 12 months off both sport and firefighting after my stroke and I’m enjoying getting back into it. It’s fantastic that I’m able to do all of this, I was very lucky. I had surgery and I woke up and I was reasonably ready to go, considering what had happened.” 

Just a month before the AP&ES Games, Kim, along with her husband Mick, was supporting the response to the Wilmington fire in the southern Flinders Ranges, undertaking nine shifts out on the fireground. It wasn’t her first time back on the fire truck since the stroke, but it was definitely her first major incident and was evidence that everything was back to normal for the bubbly community-minded volunteer. 

After moving to SA from Victoria, where she had a history with the CFA, Kim became involved with Cunliffe CFS on the Yorke Peninsula in 2009, before transferring to Wilmington Brigade in February 2023. She has also been a Brigade Operational Support Officer at Region 4, a role that allowed her to keep her ‘hand in’ with CFS following her stroke. 

Now retired from her career as a nurse, Kim remains extremely busy and adds kayaking, volunteering at the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Gardens and playing ukelele with Port Augusta Music Club to her broad resume of activities. 

During the AP&ES Games Kim enjoyed getting out on the pitch, playing and meeting some new people. “I really enjoy playing in tournaments like this because it’s a different level, you’re not playing for sheep stations and everyone has a bit of fun,” Kim said.