My journey with St John Ambulance began in 1991, when I joined as a young volunteer. What began as an opportunity to learn first aid and help others has become more than 35 years of service, leadership, friendship and a deep commitment to the St John family.
Over the years, I have progressed through a number of roles, including Member, Divisional Secretary, Divisional Officer and, since 2010, Divisional Superintendent of Granville Combined Division. I also had the privilege of serving on the St John NSW State Council from 2017 to 2020. Alongside these roles, I have been involved in first aid, event health services, training, youth development, operational initiatives and supporting the wellbeing and development of our members.
One of the most significant parts of my St John journey has been leading Granville Combined Division. I have seen it grow from 78 members in 2015 to more than 170, while maintaining a strong culture of service, inclusion, innovation and member welfare. Through challenges such as losing our permanent premises and the COVID-19 pandemic, my focus has always been on ensuring that no member is left behind and that our division continues to serve its community.
For 25 years, I have also had the privilege of managing St John’s medical services relationship with Sydney SuperDome Arena, now Afterpay Arena (formerly known as Qudos Bank Arena). This long-standing
relationship has been built on trust, professionalism and consistently high standards, while providing generations of St John members with valuable experience in major-event health services.
I believe my story reflects the essence of St John because it is fundamentally about service to others. It is about putting people first, working together, developing others and looking for ways to make St John stronger for those who come after us. I believe these stories should be shared because much of the contribution of volunteers happens quietly, through countless hours of work that may never be formally recorded.
As a woman who has spent much of my life volunteering and leading in both professional and community environments, I would like future histories to recognise more fully the contribution women have made—not only through visible leadership positions, but through mentoring, organising, supporting families, developing young people and creating the culture that enables organisations to thrive.
Most importantly, I hope this history encourages the next generation of St John women to believe that they have a place at every level of the organisation. I hope they lead with courage and compassion, use their voices, support one another and never underestimate the difference they can make. If my story contributes anything, I hope it shows that one person’s commitment, sustained over time, can influence generations of members and leave St John stronger for the future.
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).
