Zambuck, n. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

Zambuck n.

also Zambuk

[name of Zam-buk, a proprietary antiseptic ointment; Zambuk website: ‘The word Zam-Buk originated in New Zealand, and was used to describe someone who administered first aid to wounded sportsmen. A “Zambuck” was a member of the Order of St. John, which was established at the time of the Crusades to care for the injured’]

(Aus.) a St John’s Ambulance man.

1929		Biz (Fairfield, NSW) 7 June 8/2: One of the most useful, though unassuming officials at district football matches is the ‘Zambuck Man,’ as he is familiarly known.
1943		Baker Popular Dict. Aus. Sl. (2nd edn).
1948		R. Raven-Hart Canoe in Aus. 145: Ambulance men, ‘Zambuks’ in Australian slang, are often busy.
1959		G. Slatter Gun in My Hand 80: The ambulance men run for the prone body on the field. The game is in a serious state because there is not the usual fatuous cry of zambuck from some oaf in the crowd who has never known the shock and pain of a footbal injury.
1968		G. Slatter Pagan Game (1969) 172: Call on the zambucks to cart him off.
1984		Bulletin 6 Mar. 43: If you don’t know what a Zambuck is, it’s someone in the black and white uniform of the St John Ambulance Brigade doing honorary duty at a sports arena, ready to dash on the field with everything from liniment to stretcher.
1988		McGill Dict. of Kiwi Sl. 128/2: zambuck St John ambulance officer; from black and white uniform likened to the black and white container of Zambuck ointment.
1998		R.G. Barrett Mud Crab Boogie (2013) [ebook] But after [...] the zambuck hit him with the smelling salts he was in there again.
2002		(ref. to 1962) R. Sprigg at www.simpsondesert.fl.net.au 🌐 There were plenty of anxious moments for me though as a zambuck responsible for the well-being of more than forty five workmen and me with only a St Johns Ambulance First Aid Certificate and an RFDS chest to back me up on the ground.