Charlie Bartak began her career with St John Ambulance Australia in 2012 as an eLearning Projects Officer with the Australian Office. Since then, she has played an important role in developing St John’s digital learning capability, helping build a substantial library of contemporary eLearning resources that support blended learning and provide volunteers, members and customers with engaging and effective training. This capability proved particularly valuable during the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling St John to continue delivering important training when face-to-face learning was severely restricted.
Charlie graduated from the University of Canberra with a degree in Media Arts and Production, majoring in Graphic Design, during her first year with St John. Her creative background in photography, design, video and film production has continued to shape her contribution to the organisation.
One of Charlie’s notable achievements has been leading the development of the award-winning, evidence-based Driver First Aid training course. The innovative program equips new drivers with practical, lifesaving first aid skills at a pivotal point in their driving journey. By embedding first aid education at this stage, the program helps empower young people to respond confidently in an emergency. The course has since been endorsed by two Australian State Governments.
Charlie’s contribution to St John extends well beyond eLearning. She supports the organisation as a photographer and contributes to SJ One, video production, livestreaming and other creative projects. She regularly volunteers her time at Investitures, Chapter meetings and St John events, often drawing on her network of creative and production contacts to help deliver projects to a high standard. Her generosity, professionalism and willingness to help have made her a valued member of the St John community. In recognition of her service and contribution, Charlie was appointed a Member of the Order of St John.
Her commitment to service extends beyond St John. Charlie also serves as a Reservist in the Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps, reflecting her dedication to serving both her community and the nation.
Away from service and work, sport has been a constant part of Charlie’s life and an important source of friendship, teamwork and community. She has played field hockey for Tuggeranong Vikings Hockey Club since 2018, where she has enjoyed being part of a strong team environment and celebrating the highs and challenges that come with playing together. The team won a premiership in 2019, and Charlie has also been recognised individually, receiving the club’s Players’ Player award in 2018 and 2021 and finishing as the joint highest women’s goal scorer in 2020.
In 2023, Charlie took on a new challenge, joining Tuggeranong Valley Football Club to play AFL for the first time. Despite being new to the sport, she quickly became part of the team and was awarded Players’ Player at the end of her debut season. One of the highlights was sharing the experience with her partner, Maddie, who also played. For Charlie, the best part of sport has always been the people – being part of a team, supporting each other, having a laugh and sharing the moments that make all the hard work worthwhile.
Charlie and Maddie welcomed their two daughters in 2025, born just weeks apart, and family life now keeps them busy. Weekends are generally spent with family and friends, sport, getting outdoors and, when there is a little time left over, settling in for a game on the PlayStation.
Across her work, service, sport and family life, Charlie embodies the St John values through her commitment to others, her creativity, generosity and strong sense of teamwork. Her story reflects the many different ways women contribute to St John – through professional expertise, volunteering, service, creativity and simply being willing to have a go.
St John Ambulance Australia acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities on the Traditional Lands on which we work Australia wide. We acknowledge the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples, the Traditional Custodians of the Canberra region, where our Australian Office is based. We pay our respects to elders past and present. At St John Ambulance, we are an inclusive organisation. We welcome and respect people that come from all backgrounds, cultures, religions, genders, sexualities, bodies, and abilities. Access to First Aid and its knowledge are fundamental human rights. Every person deserves access to life saving support, no matter who they are.
St John Ambulance Australia’s nationally recognised accredited courses are delivered by way of third-party arrangement with other organisations (for example, with our St John States and Territories). These St John states and territories (except WA) are authorised to deliver nationally recognised and accredited training on behalf of St John Ambulance Australia Ltd (RTO 88041).
St John Ambulance Australia acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities on the Traditional Lands on which we work Australia wide. We acknowledge the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples, the Traditional Custodians of the Canberra region, where our Australian Office is based. We pay our respects to elders past and present. At St John Ambulance, we are an inclusive organisation. We welcome and respect people that come from all backgrounds, cultures, religions, genders, sexualities, bodies, and abilities. Access to First Aid and its knowledge are fundamental human rights. Every person deserves access to life saving support, no matter who they are.
St John Ambulance Australia’s nationally recognised accredited courses are delivered by way of third-party arrangement with other organisations (for example, with our St John State and Territory agents). These agents (except WA) are authorised to deliver nationally recognised and accredited training on behalf of St John Ambulance Australia Ltd (RTO 88041).
