My name is Vanessa Lorford-Mills and I joined St John NSW as the General Manager People, Performance & Culture in 2017 as part of the Executive Team.
What I am most proud of is the significant strengthening organisation’s culture, leadership development capability, the engagement and experience of our members, the growth in our youth members and child safety to ensure a strong legacy for today and our future. This has enabled St John to be the Medical Reserve saving lives in our communities. Working across our organisation comprising both collectively over 4,000 Volunteers, Cadets and Staff members we have developed our values, roles, programs and practices to support our members to lead, contribute meaningfully, stay safe and feel connected. For me, the heart of this has always been people: creating an environment where everyone who gives their time, skills and care to St John and the community feels valued and be their best self.
Over the nearly 10 years, I have been heartened to see more women involved at every level of St John NSW, alongside an increasingly rich diversity of cultures. Women in leadership bring valuable perspectives to our decisions and help us better reflect the members and communities we serve. It is especially inspiring to see young women step into leadership roles and help shape St John NSW’s future.
As St John NSW’s Child Safety Lead, I have overseen the strengthening of child safety standards, policies, embedding child safety practices into our culture and growing a team of Child Wellbeing Officers across the State. This commitment to providing a safe environment for children and young people was recognised with a ChildWise Bronze Child Safe accreditation.
I have had the privilege of holding executive responsibility for St John NSW’s Support Services, including Peer Support, Chaplaincy and the Volunteer and Employee Assistance Programs to support our members. Just as meaningful to me has been recognising the service and achievements of our members through the Annual Award Ceremonies and Investitures, while ensuring that St John NSW’s traditions and connection with the wider Order are maintained.
My passion remains helping leaders, teams and members contribute at their best. I want every woman in St John NSW, now and in the future, to have the confidence in knowing that her contribution matters, that leadership is within her reach, and that she can make a lasting difference in our communities.
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).
