St John WA shares stories of WA’s legends in new children’s book

• St John WA has launched a children’s book, Land of Legends, which tells the stories of the paramedics, volunteers and staff who answer the call of those in need.
• Written by local author Deb Fitzpatrick, Land of Legends features 20 true stories, each with illustrations by West Australian authors.
• Educating and inspiring the next generation of first responders to help others in community, through powerful storytelling.
• Land of Legends captures the story of a turbulent boat rescue mission off the coast of Esperance in which critical care paramedic Ben Harris had to be winched down from the rescue helicopter to save a partial amputee patient.

St John WA has launched a children’s book which is dedicated to telling the true stories of the paramedics, volunteers and staff who answer the call of helping those in need.

Land of Legends gives life to St John WA’s legacy of service and celebrates its heroes, the people who work on the frontline, by sharing their stories. The book aims to educate and inspire the next generation to help others in need and the importance of building strong communities.

Written by local author Deb Fitzpatrick, Land of Legends features 20 true stories from the frontline. Mrs Fitzpatrick said it contained true stories of community and was a celebration of what makes Western Australia great.

“There hasn’t been a single interview I’ve come away from feeling anything other than just awe of these people,” she said.

“Every single one of them, whether they’re small acts of kindness or really heroic acts that showed great courage in frightening situations, have left me feeling like if I’m ever in trouble, this is the sort of person I want to have come in my door to give me a hand.

“Hopefully people realise just how amazing they are and what they do all day, every day. They are the heroes of the ordinary world.”

St John Chief of Brand and Reputation Aaron Crowther said the St John workforce had been trusted to respond in times of need in Western Australia for more than a century. 

“Land of Legends puts faces to a number of incredible stories that serve as a representative body of work for innumerable community supporters of St John’s for more than 100 years,” Mr Crowther said. 

“Every year we deliver more than 1.5 million occasions of care through our services, which support people through tough times, while improving outcomes for our community more broadly.”

Aimed at a reading age of 10 and above, the book is written to cover a wide spectrum of readers with parental icons flagging any graphic content.

All proceeds from book sales will go to St John Giving, which supports charitable works of the organisation.

You can learn more about these everyday heroes on stjohnwa.com.au/legends