Abraham Shapiro’s journey from offshore mining to paramedicine

When Abraham Shapiro signed up to become a volunteer in search of purpose outside of his full-time job, little did he know he’d discover his calling.

The St John WA (SJWA) Event Health Services volunteer of two years applied after watching his father Graeme give back from a young age.

“I remember going to training nights with my dad at the Melville division, getting involved as a patient for simulation exercises (SIMEXs), getting bandaged and covered in fake blood,” he said.

“I would always excitedly ask him questions and listen to how he would help and care for his patients.

“I always thought that one day I would be able to get involved and help others too.”

Graeme stepped away from EHS when he decided to go back to university.

“Dad felt he was juggling too much. So, that put an end to his exciting stories, and I mostly forgot about it,” Abraham said.

After graduating high school, Abraham secured a commercial drone pilot license which paved the way for a career in oil and gas.

He worked his way up for three years and began working offshore as a survey technician.

“I got to work in some amazing places in that role, including Varanus Island, the Bass Strait and Papua New Guinea. The job was fantastic, getting to see and explore places most people would never be able to,” he said.

Despite the excitement of his work, Abraham found himself at a crossroads and felt a persistent tug towards a deeper sense of purpose.

“I remembered EHS and the stories dad would tell me and it seemed like the perfect answer, so I applied and, shockingly, I was accepted,” he said.

Abraham began filling his off-swing with EHS shifts, travelling to community events to keep patrons safe by providing first aid.

He was quickly hooked and realised he enjoyed volunteering more than his full-time job.

“Being part of EHS means that I get to engage the public in a positive way that I haven’t been able to do in any other aspect of my life,” he said.

“I get to meet all the weird and wonderful people of SJWA – learning from them and their experiences is always fascinating, and I think the range of experience everyone brings to EHS is what makes it such an enjoyable community to be part of.”

Inspired by his time as a volunteer, Abraham made the leap and applied for nursing at Notre Dame, with the goal to continue into paramedicine.

“As of this year I am in my first year of nursing and am enjoying it immensely,” he said.

Abraham is just one of the 5000 SJWA volunteers across WA whose unwavering commitment and advocacy continues to inspire day-in and day-out.

SJWA is made up of many different faces from call takers to regional ambos, to a helping hand at an event, each team member comes from a different walk of life, but being part of this lifesaving cohort is one thing they all share.

A recent survey released for National Volunteer Week found nine in 10 Western Australians think favourably about people who volunteer, click here to learn more.  

More than 5000 volunteers contribute their time across a range of roles with SJWA from on-road emergency ambulance response in country WA, to logistics, volunteer support, community transport and Event Health Services.  

To become a volunteer visit, https://stjohnwa.com.au/changelives.