Onslow students gain vital first aid skills

147 children from Onslow School are now equipped with vital first aid skills after a visit from St John WA.

This is the first time St John WA has been able to provide its First Aid Focus program to students in the region thanks to funding from the Woodside-operated Macedon Joint Venture (consisting of Woodside and Santos). 

Onslow students were shown skills that range from how to identify dangers in an emergency, to putting a person in the recovery position while waiting for help.

Accidents can happen anywhere at any time and sometimes the only one available to help is a young person.
 
St John WA’s First Aid Focus program aims to train and equip school students with the skills to assess and respond to first aid situations, while developing strategies to seek help for themselves or others.

The free, in-school sessions offer age-appropriate first aid classes for students of all ages, ensuring they are empowered to take the right steps to save a life in the event of a healthcare emergency.

Funding from the Woodside-operated Macedon Joint Venture ensured an expert Community Education Officer from St John WA’s Youth and Community Engagement Team could be sent to the North West to teach lifesaving skills.

The funding is part of a wider grant supporting St John WA initiatives in the Onslow area including training sessions for volunteer Emergency Medical Responders and recruitment activities to attract additional volunteers for the local St John Sub Centre.

“First aid skills are essential for any young person and knowing what to do in an emergency could save a life,” St John WA’s Social Sustainability Manager, Angel Robins said.

“Together with helping strengthen St John’s local volunteer capacity, this grant from the Woodside-operated Macedon Joint Venture will increase Onslow’s emergency preparedness and create a safer community for the town.

“We are grateful for the support and look forward to collaborating on a range of community-based initiatives over the next year.”

Macedon Asset Manager, Allie Convery, said the donation to St John’s WA demonstrated Woodside’s commitment to supporting those who support the Onslow community.

“We are proud to back St John WA and the work that they are doing to equip young people with skills to keep themselves and others safe.

“We know we can play an important part in building a connected and healthy community here in Onslow by partnering with organisations that help people when they need it most.”

St John WA proudly provides the First Aid Focus program to more than 150,000 school children across Western Australia every year.

Learn more about St John WA’s Youth and Community Engagement activities.