St John WA teams shine bright at Goldfields volunteer event
St John WA team members from around the Goldfields recently came together for the ‘Goldfields Experience’.
Held at the regional office and depot in Kalgoorlie, the two-day event was an opportunity for over 50 volunteers and staff to connect, learn and collaborate.
Guest speakers included St John’s very own Deputy Director of Paramedicine, Andy Bell, and Head of Volunteer Experience, Craig Spencer.
Social Sustainability Manager, Angelina Robins, shared more about community impact while WA Volunteer of the Year, Brian Gallop, talked about his experiences of supporting a loved one with dementia and how best to look after patients with the condition.
Saturday evening saw team members take part in a fun themed murder-mystery dinner.
A simulated exercise with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) on Sunday morning proved to be a valuable learning opportunity to explore how local teams can assist in complicated vehicle incidents.
The St John network covers extensive distances in the Goldfields, with some sub centres hundreds of kilometres apart.
They are vital lifelines in remote towns, and volunteers are critical to their running and maintenance.
Events like the Goldfields Experience are essential for keeping team members connected.
“We wanted to invite people from near and far to visit our town and depot, showcasing the spirit of our community,” St John WA District Support Lead Stacey Thompson said.
“It was also an opportunity to come together as a team, hear from inspiring speakers, learn and grow collectively, and strengthen our sense of connection.
“We aimed to share stories, support one another and enjoy each other’s company.”
St John WA’s Country Ambulance has more than 4000 volunteers supporting the service, which covers the biggest footprint of any single ambulance service in the world — 2.5 million square kilometres or 33 per cent of the Australian landmass.
Learn more about volunteering with St John WA.