Beverley crowned St John WA’s 2026 Sub Centre of the Year 

Beverley has been named 2026 Sub Centre of the Year at St John WA’s annual awards ceremony at the Parmelia Hilton, Perth on August 13. 

Long-time volunteer and sub centre vice-chair, Jenny Raynor, said the recognition had come out of the blue. 

“We don’t do it for the rewards,” she said. 

“But it’s huge for our sub centre. It really, really is.” 

Established in 1934, the sub centre is led by a 10-strong team of volunteers who come from all walks of life – farmers, bus drivers, shop assistants, healthcare workers, teachers and retirees, all connected by a shared passion for their town of 1200 people. 

The team prides themselves on being able to provide ambulance crews when an emergency strikes, ready to leap at any opportunity to support the people of their town. 

Despite their different backgrounds and levels of experience, everyone at Beverley is treated equally. 

“We’re all here for the one reason – to support and help our community,” Jenny said. 

“You make friends. You form bonds with people that you probably wouldn’t in normal everyday life.  

“Somebody’s always got your back when you’re a volunteer.” 

That spirit is matched by commitment, with volunteers regularly getting out of bed in the early hours of the morning to respond when their community needs them. 

But the Beverley team isn’t just committed to its own sub centre. 

Volunteers regularly support neighbouring communities when they are unable to field a crew, while the sub centre has also used its resources to help other St John locations improve their capabilities. 

That has included donating a Raizer lifting chair to Brookton and contributing towards advanced medical equipment for another Wheatbelt sub centre. 

“If we can help other sub centres out, why not?” Jenny said. 

The same commitment extends to training. 

They have invested around $50,000 in advanced training equipment allowing volunteers, other local healthcare providers and paramedics to upskill and practice complex emergency scenarios. 

As Beverley Sub Centre Chairperson, Ian Frizzell regularly sees the impact the team has on the town, as well as the positive feedback volunteers receive from patients and other community services. 

“Nine times out of 10 you know the patients because you’re a part of the community, but it also gives them the peace of mind and confidence that they’ve got a Beverley crew looking after a Beverley resident,” Ian said. 

As for the future, the Beverley team would love to extend their current premises and is always looking for new volunteers to join them. 

“Whatever we decide to do next is for the best of the Beverley community – it’s for their benefit, not for ours,” Ian said. 

St John WA has 160 regional locations across Western Australia, including 141 volunteer-run sub centres. 

Volunteer with St John WA today: https://www.stjohnwa.com.au/changelives/volunteer