St John Ambulance (New South Wales)

St John Ambulance Australia

File:Stjohn logo aus.gif
Abbreviation	SJAA
Formation	1883
Type	Charitable organisation Limited company
Headquarters	Canberra Avenue, Forrest, ACT 2603
Location	Australia
Membership	12,631
Affiliations	St. John Ambulance
Website	http://www.stjohn.org.au

History of St John Ambulance

In the Nineteenth Century a group of citizens revived the Order of St John in England, drawing their inspiration from the example of the Knights of St John who, in medieval times, offered care and shelter for pilgrims and crusaders.

St John Ambulance was subsequently formed to put its humanitarian ideals into practice in the new industrial society, promoting the cause of first aid for the sick and wounded through volunteer effort - a novel concept at the time and a much-needed one.

The movement spread to Australia in 1883 and has since developed into the organisation that we know today. The work of the Order of St John is carried out in many countries around the world. St John is a Royal Order of Chivalry with the Queen as its Sovereign Head.

See also

• St John Ambulance Australia
• Venerable Order of Saint John
• St John Ambulance

File:Byrontyrer.jpeg

Communications Operator Byron Tyrer at the Bathurst 1000

Up comming Major Events

The year 2008 will bring two major events for St John Ambulance Australia New South Wales.

In 2008 St John New South Wales will turn 125 years old, at the same time St John will be providing Pre Hospital care to thousands of World Youth Day Pilgrims.

The event is expected to house more than 500,000 people, the main days being at Randwick Racecourse on the 19-20 of July.

This will see more volunteers, than the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.

Structure of St John

St John Ambulance Australia New South Wales has several main areas of activity:

First Aid Services Also known as Operations Branch:

St John provides volunteer first aid services at events and emergencies. St John covers public events such as local and major sporting events, concerts and fun runs. First Aid Services is divided into states, regions and divisions.

This branch is headed up nationally by Chief Commissioner Prof Paul Arbon AM CStJ

St John volunteers support state emergency management and disaster plans in some states.

Training: St John is the largest first aid training organisation in Australia. Apart from its flagship Senior First Aid course, St John also offer instruction in advanced topics such as ALS (Advanced Life Support), which includes Advanced Resuscitation, AED (Automated External Defibrillation) and analgesic administration (including entinox gas and methoxyflurane analgesics). Courses offered include: Basic Life Support, Occupational First Aid, Industrial First Responder and Industrial Paramedic.

Ophthalmic Care: St John Ambulance Australia raises funds and recruits staff for the St John Ophthalmic Eye Hospital in Jerusalem. Funds are raised through public donation, and income received from conducting first aid courses and selling first aid kits and merchandise.

Community Care: St John Community Care conducts programs that are specific to each state. These activities range from assisting disadvantaged youth, to providing voluntary transport and support programs for the frail and elderly.

Key Volunteer State Positions

Commissioner- Mr Warren Glenny

File:Area Commissioner and Provincial Staff Officer Rank Insignia.JPGState Superintendent (Acting)- Ms Helen Banu-Lawrence

File:Area Commissioner and Provincial Staff Officer Rank Insignia.jpgState Cadets Officer- Mr James Chandler

File:Area Commissioner and Provincial Staff Officer Rank Insignia.JPGState Professional Officer- Dr Bruce Kinghorn

File:Area Commissioner and Provincial Staff Officer Rank Insignia.jpgState Operations Officer (Acting)- Miss Belinda Leonard

Youth Council and Advisory

Currently in NSW there are 2 groups/councils set up in NSW, one being the NSW Youth Council and the other being SOCAG (State Officer Cadets Advisory Group).

These groups aim to provide support, ideas and communication between cadets and officers.

SOCAG

The State Officer of Cadets, James Chandler, has recently put together a new youth group within St John NSW, called the State Officer Cadets Advisory Group (SOCAG).

The aim of the group is to act as a voice for the cadet movement in St John NSW and provide advice to the SOC and State Cadet Group (SCG). (Please note that we are not the Youth Council and SOCAG will focus mainly on issues that affect the Cadet Movement).

The group consists of:

• Andrew Stevens (SSO (C), SCG Youth Liaison seconded officer)

• Nicola Goddard (SSO (C), SCG Youth Liaison seconded officer)

• Ashley Weir (CL, 2007 Peter Falkland Awardee)

• Byron Tyrer (Sgt, Blue Mountains City Div)

• Will Young (Sgt, 2007 Edeline Jenkyn Trophy Recipient)

• Shevera Gunasekera (Cpl, 2007 Edeline Jenkyn Trophy Recipient)

• Mickael Gieules (Sgt, North Rocks CD)

• Ben Imrie-Quintyn (Sgt, Blue Mountains City Div)

The group is currently working on three major projects, being:

1. State Cadet Camp

2. Cadet Formal

3. A new Public Relations Proficiency Course

The group has been involved in the development of a Cadet Code of Behaviour; the review of the Cadet Handbook; recently assisted at the Enrolment Ceremony; and were heavily involved in the National Cadet Photo Shoot for new cadet and Junior books.