Meet the St John WA volunteer hooked on helping the Shark Bay community

St John WA volunteer, Alana Eru, has called Shark Bay, Western Australia home since 2014. 

Hailing from New Zealand, she was at a crossroads in her life when she decided to join St John WA after seeing a Facebook ad for an ambulance recruitment day in Denham. 

While her family was the original pull to the Shark Bay area, Alana was seeking a new purpose. 

“My kids had grown up, moved on, and I was working full-time and going home. That was it,” said Alana. 

“I thought to myself, there’s got to be something else I can do.  

“So, I went down and I joined up and absolutely love it.” 

Alana has been an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) since 2016 and is Chairperson of Shark Bay Sub Centre.  

She devotes 30-40 hours per week to helping the community and keeping the service operational.  

St John WA Community Paramedic, Sabrina Fontana, believes they would struggle without Alana’s dedication to her various roles. 

“Her roles don’t end with just doing a job,” Sabrina said. 

“Alana answers the phone 24/7, no task is too small or too big – she just wants to get in and get it done and get back to work. 

“A true treasure to our little community here in Shark Bay.” 

The Shire of Shark Bay has a population of approximately 950 people but, with the inclusion of dolphin hotspot, Monkey Mia, this can swell to 5000 during the peak seasons of June to October. 

And with its wild, beautiful beaches and tough terrain, this can make for a hectic tourist season for volunteers.  

“Every caravan park, every accommodation in town will be booked out – it’s too much for just a handful of volunteers,” said Alana. 

There are just six St John WA volunteers in the area and Alana would love to see that rise to 14. 

Existing St John WA volunteers passing through Shark Bay are a vital source of temporary help for the team.  

With accommodation available for ‘voluntourists’ and an enviable location, it can be the ideal spot for a holiday with a purpose.  

The team also use their vast local connections to try and recruit new people, but it can be tricky for others to commit their time when they have busy work – or fishing – schedules.  

Alana has been lucky her employer, the Shark Bay Fish Factory, has been supportive of her work with St John WA. 

This means Alana has clocked up some serious hours as an EMT, which she has been recognised for after being awarded the Shire’s prestigious 2025 Citizen of the Year. 

She is hesitant about calling herself a local but thinks her award, and her commitment to Shark Bay and St John WA, has secured her the title. 

“I love this place – it’s my home away from home and I just find it so relaxing here. It’s peaceful,” said Alana.  

“I just like being out there in the community and helping anywhere I possibly can.”  

Our sub centres are always looking for new volunteers. 

Join us and sign up to volunteer today.