Members of the St John WA community honoured at 2025 Investiture Ceremony
From long-serving volunteers and frontline responders to the support teams who keep operations running behind the scenes, 38 members of the St John WA team were formally recognised at the 2025 Investiture ceremony held at Government House.
The traditional ceremony, held on Saturday 5 April, saw members of the St John WA community admitted or promoted into the Order of St John – a royal order of chivalry and a recognised honour under the Australian Honours System.
Among those honoured was Harvey volunteer Paul Beech, who was promoted to Commander of the Order.
With over 27 years of service as a frontline emergency responder, Paul has shown unwavering leadership and compassion under pressure, and led the redevelopment of critical infrastructure to support his fellow volunteers.
Also promoted to Commander was Don Atkins, who has contributed hundreds of volunteer hours across Event Health Services and the Heritage Centre since 1996.
Known for his inclusivity and work in youth and community engagement, Don is a role model to many.
One of the most heartfelt moments of the event was the posthumous awarding of the Gold St John Commendation to Tinesh Tamilkodi, a Clinical Support Paramedic who tragically lost his life in the line of duty in November 2023.
His mother, Pospa Marimuthu, accepted the award on his behalf to a standing ovation from the ballroom.
Five team members were promoted to Officer, including Carol Gale, Sharyl Marsh, Terri Edwards, Brendan Jordan, and Pam Tennant, recognised for their exemplary leadership, innovation, and dedication to community health.
Thirty-one new members were admitted to the Order from across WA – including representatives from the Goldfields, Wheatbelt, Peel, Great Southern, and metropolitan regions – while eight team members received Commandery Commendations for exceptional service to the Commandery.
The event was presided over by His Excellency, the Honourable Chris Dawson AC APM, Governor of Western Australia and Knight Commander of the WA Commandery of the Order.
Promotion to Commander:
Coastal South
- Paul Beech ASM OAM CStJ – Harvey
Event Health Services / Heritage
- Don Atkins CStJ – EHS / Heritage
Promotion to Officer:
Great Southern
- Terri Edwards OStJ – Ravensthorpe
Coastal South
- Carol Gale OStJ – Harvey and Collie
- Sharyl Marsh OStJ – Bunbury Regional Office
Southern Forest
- Brendan Jordan OStJ – Augusta
Wheatbelt
- Pam Tennant OStJ – Toodyay – Wheatbelt
Admission as Member:
Rural and Remote
Midwest
- Svenja Clare MStJ – Meekatharra
- Phillip Wood MStJ – Denham
Goldfields
- Louise Vivienne Gray MStJ – Esperance
- Kerri Magagnotti MStJ – Esperance
- Joy Dell’Agostino MStJ – Esperance
- Ashley Peczka MStJ – Esperance
Great Southern
- Bridget Eckersley MStJ – Albany
- Dean Fasolo MStJ – Albany
- Michael Ficko MStJ – Albany
- Matthew Roberts MStJ – Albany
- Morgan Sounness MStJ – Albany
Wheatbelt
- Johan Brummelman MStJ – Wagin
- Dylan Campbell MStJ – Wundowie
- Roslyn Foster MStJ – Boddington
- Terrie James MStJ – Lancelin
- Melanie Lockett MStJ – Woodridge
- Peter West MStJ – Quairading
- Margie Ward MStJ – Wagin
Urban Coastal
Peel
- Lauren D’Arcy MStJ – Operations
- Paul Bishop MStJ – Pinjarra
- Jennifer McNamara MStJ – Waroona
Southern Forest
- Ross Hastie MStJ – Margaret River
- Donald Page MStJ – Margaret River
Other
Event Health Services
- Andrea Halden MStJ – Stirling EHS
- Aaron Fudge MStJ – Stirling EHS
- Troy Turner MStJ – Ellenbrook EHS
State Office
- Ellie Golling MStJ – Clinical Services
- Derek Waller MStJ – Clinical Education
- Lauren Davids MStJ – Clinical Services
- Ace Choo MStJ – Clinical Services
State Operations Centre
- Justine Morris MStJ
Community Transport Service
- Bernard Caunce MStJ – Volunteer