24 June 1883 is recognised as the establishment of St John Ambulance in Australia. It was on this day, at the Athenaeum Theatre in Melbourne, that a public meeting was convened to establish the first Branch of the St John Ambulance Association in Australia. The ‘aid to the injured movement’ grew quickly with volunteer doctors teaching first aid to the workers on the nation's railways which soon spread to public training of first aid. We are considered as 'First in First Aid' in Australia - a legacy we continue to honour and build upon.
Today, St John Ambulance Australia has evolved to meet the needs of local communities - changing with the times but never losing focus of our mission and purpose. From the days of horse-drawn ambulance carriages, we have embraced innovation and technologies that have enabled us to expand our services within all states and territories of Australia. We are part of an international network spanning 44 countries around the globe providing care to millions. We are proud to celebrate our many services and the positive impacts achieved within our diverse communities, and to recognise the dedication and commitment of more than 20,000 volunteers and staff across the nation.
