Crucial workshops deliver life-saving boost for Kimberley families 

Local parents are now better prepared for childhood emergencies after participating in the St John WA’s Tiny Tots first aid sessions held in Kununurra and Wyndham. 

Families with young children gathered at local community centres in both towns last week, to learn crucial skills at the St John WA Tiny Tots first aid course. 

The half-day sessions were designed specifically for parents and carers in the Kimberley, teaching vital new skills to help keep children safe and well.  

St John WA First Aid Trainer, Ange Holt, demonstrated a variety of first aid skills including CPR, defibrillation and responding to choking incidents and poisonings. 

“I can walk away now and remember what Ange said because she got our attention, she broke the training right down,” Wyndham trainee Antoinette (Alu) Trust, said. 

The bespoke training sessions were made possible through a grant from St John WA’s new Community Impact Fund supported by RAC. 

Launched in 2026, the Community Impact Fund provides small grants to support local St John WA sub centres to respond to needs they see first-hand, such as such as purchasing equipment, community training or upgrading facilities. 

Kununurra St John WA volunteer Emergency Medical Technician Kylee Levin, used the fund to turn a good idea into real community impact.  

“Our St John WA Volunteer Leadership Group in Kununurra decided to apply for the grant after identifying the need for practical early childhood first aid sessions for local parents and carers,” Ms Levin, who is also a community engagement worker with Binarri-binyja yarrawoo Aboriginal Corporation, said.  

“This funding has allowed us to cover the three training days, as well as provide childcare and a first aid kit to all attending families.  

“It was great to see community services from across Kununurra and Wyndham also coming together to get involved and make it happen.” 

Angelina Robins, St John WA Social Sustainability Manager said the Community Impact Fund is about backing St John WA’s sub centres and local communities to respond to the needs they see first-hand. 

“In Kununurra and Wyndham, that means bringing first aid education directly to families while also helping remove barriers such as transport, childcare and meals. We want parents and carers to leave feeling more confident to prevent injuries, recognise when something is wrong and respond when a child needs help,” Angelina said. 

“Thanks to our founding partner, RAC, we have been able to establish the fund and provide micro-grants for practical initiatives that can make a real difference at a local level. 

RAC Head of Communications, Rhys Heron said RAC was proud to be the inaugural partner of the Community Impact Fund. 

“RAC has a long history of supporting emergency services across WA with a united goal of keeping Western Australians safe,” Mr Heron said. 

“We are proud to strengthen this commitment through our new partnership with St John WA, supporting volunteers like Kylee, and so many local families to be better equipped to look after their little ones in an emergency.” 

St John WA’s Community Impact Fund, supported by RAC, is designed to support locally led ideas to strengthen health, safety and connection across Western Australia. 

“We were proud to work alongside local services, Aboriginal Medical Service, child health nurses, dietitians and child and parent centres in delivering these sessions, giving families the opportunity to connect, ask questions and build relationships with services beyond the training,” said Robins. 

 “Our ambition is to grow the fund and bring more partners alongside us, so we can support even more community initiatives across Western Australia.” 

Individuals or organisations interested in supporting the St John WA Community Impact Fund are welcome to get in touch with St John WA’s Social Sustainability team on 9334 8258.