Leaders of tomorrow celebrated at inaugural St John Academy awards

Two young leaders have been recognised for their commitment to the St John Academy program and using their skills, compassion and initiative to create a positive impact around them. 

Northam’s Lilly Clifford has been named St John Academy’s Team Member of the Year and Kale Guthrie as runner-up. 

The St John Academy develops 12-17-year-olds as community leaders, equipping them with life-saving skills and a strong foundation for future healthcare careers.   

For the first time ever, the Awards celebrate a youth member who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to their Academy Division, their own personal development and to making a meaningful contribution to their community. 

The Team Member of the Year personifies leadership shown through actions, through supporting others and through stepping forward when it matters – the very best of what the St John Academy stands for. 

Lilly was recognised for her leading role in the launch of Northam Division’s Community Project, where she demonstrated outstanding leadership and community spirit.  

The team created a local mural designed to spark conversations about mental health. 

Students chose the creative ‘blue tree’ design in recognition of the Blue Tree Project – a grassroots initiative in regional Western Australia where trees are painted blue as symbols of hope and to spread awareness of mental health. 

Lilly is passionate about the subject and proudly drove the group to complete the project.  

“We wanted to do something aimed at the youth in Northam,” Lilly said.  

“We need the community that we are still learning to partake in to be a vibrant and accepting place where no one fears to admit they need help.” 

Lilly’s contribution went well beyond simply participating; she helped bring people together around an important cause and demonstrated the powerful role young leaders can play in strengthening communities. 

“I think this award is a testament to [Northam Academy Division Leaders] Nat and Steve and all the other people working in the background because last year wouldn’t have happened without them,” Lilly said.

“It shows how far young people can go with the Academy – how much it can do for them and for the community.”

Lilly’s confidence has grown so much from being involved in the Northam project, she is now part of a mental health awareness project at her own school.

Kale Guthrie is a consistent attendee and mentor for the younger members at the Tom Price Academy Division.  

He played a key role in an important initiative to raise money to purchase and install defibrillators, cabinets and snake bite kits around his local town of Tom Price and the wider area, including Paraburdoo and Karijini National Park.  

Kale now has his eyes set on much-needed signage for dangerous local roads subject to flooding. 

“It’s a shock but I’m glad to have been chosen as a stand out at the youth academy,” Kale said.

“I’m aware that there are loads of great participants all around the state so it’s an honour.

“I’m keen to stay involved with St John, even if it’s not a career pathway I’d still love to volunteer.”

His commitment to the safety of his community alongside the leadership he demonstrates within the Tom Price Division has earned him admiration among the group and local leaders. 

“A big part of the St John Academy program is community service,” Megan O’Donnell, St John WA Chief Preventative Officer, said.

“These awards are about connecting team members and ensuring they can see a future through our volunteer pathways and also be part of us celebrating a collective impact on the community.

“And they play as big a role as any of our volunteers do because they are advocates at home and they’re teaching their peers.

“They are the next generation of healthcare workers, volunteers and hopefully St John WA team members, and these two in particular [Lilly and Kale] were absolute stand outs.

“We’d love to see them on the team one day!” 

Learn more about the St John Academy.