I was appointed St John NSW in June 2004 as a Director of the Board, responsible for the Community Care Programs.
Two programs that were very successful included the Program to Aid Literacy in Primary Schools (PALS), and the Immunisation Program which assisted NSW Health staff implement the school-based vaccination program for year 7 students.
With the establishment of the Immunisation Program in 2006, I was able to source annual funding for many years, making the Community Care Branch self-funded. Both the departments of Education and Health were grateful for the assistance of experienced volunteers, particularly in the case of large school-based vaccination programs where calm adults proved to be a very valuable resource. The programs were discontinued over time due the gradual cessation of the funding, and the St John’s strategic realignment to focus on emergency first aid management and training.
As a Director, I chaired the Nominations and Awards Committee and served on the People, Performance and Culture Committee and the Clinical Governance Committee. During my Board tenure, I was instrumental in recruiting and mentoring new Directors, assessing volunteer and staff award nominations, contributing to the 2021 Constitution review, and strengthening clinical governance, vaccination policies, and organisational structure. I also played a key role during the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting collaboration between St John and NSW Health to secure substantial three-year funding and deliver vaccination and testing services. In addition, I provided governance and strategic advice on establishing the Norfolk Island First Responder Service, which has been highly successful and widely supported by both the NSW and Commonwealth Governments. I retired from the Board in 2022.
I have served as a member of the NSW Council for many years and am currently appointed for a 3-year period, representing the Order of St John. I continue to be an active member of the NSW People and Awards Committee (formerly Nominations and Awards), and currently manage the Retired and Former Members group providing a vital link between the Board and retired members.
I was invested as a Dame of Grace of Order of St John in May 2026.
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).
