‘Wonderful people’: Outpouring of thanks to first responders from Primary students

Dozens of primary school children took part in St John WA’s Thank A First Responder Day colouring in campaign, which have gone on display at the State Office in Belmont, Northam and Geraldton stations.

Students from Year 1 to 6 studiously coloured in and filled in messages of appreciation for all team statewide, with some hoping to become a paramedic or doctor one day.

A notable number of Year 1 students had interacted with team members in greens and were thrilled to pass along their messages of thanks to the ‘wonderful people’ at St John, some of which were about siblings, parents or grandparents who needed Triple Zero (000) assistance.

Part of St John’s charitable work is teaching children as young as kindergarten age to call Triple Zero (000) in an emergency.

One student was grateful for winning a raffled mini Kura bear at last year’s Royal Perth Show, where the Youth and Community team engaged families to learn about St John services and familiarise them with first aid practices like calling Triple Zero (000) for help.

Cards delivered to the Midwest teams.

Members of Parliament also publicly acknowledged the great work of St John WA first responders in the lead up to and on national Thank a First Responder Day, June 10.

Paramedics and Ambulance Service Medal recipients Karen Hollings and Dean Coxall were thanked by their local MPs, Rockingham MLA Magenta Marshall and Federal Member for Pearce Tracey Roberts, respectively.

“Deane’s dedication to the ambulance service is a testament to the incredible people we have in Pearce,” Ms Roberts posted to Facebook.

“Thank you for keeping the community safe.”

Similarly, Ms Marshall thanked Karen for her dedication and service to making communities stronger.

“Karen’s story is one of courage, service and compassion,” she posted to Facebook.

“For more than 21 years, Karen has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication on the frontline, providing care in some of the most challenging and high-pressure situations imaginable.”

Hoppa founded charity Dogs For First Responders (D41R) to provide mental health support to those on the frontline through therapy dogs.

Last month, Cannington Member of Parliament Ron Sao MLA acknowledged the importance of thanking first responders in a speech to the Lower House of State Parliament.

He thanked then-Community Paramedic Luke Fowles, Emergency Medical Technicians Garth Simpson and Kathy Wright, as well as Critical Care Paramedic Madelyn Coertzen for his medical emergency rescue in 2021, before he became a Parliamentarian.

“Across Western Australia, we rely on both career and volunteer responders who step forward when their communities need them most,” he told Parliament.

“I was recently advised by St John WA that it receives around 800 calls each day and most first responders never learn what becomes of the people they help.

“On 10 June, it is Thank a First Responder Day. I encourage anyone who has received their care and is able to, for them to reach out and say thank you.

“… I acknowledge first responders across Western Australia every day. Every day, their work makes a real difference.”

Premier Roger Cook, Minister for Health Meredith Hammat, Minister for Police Reece Whitby and others also publicly posted their thanks for all emergency services who respond to calls for help.

Thank a First Responder Day was established by St John WA partner Fortem Australia to encourage community appreciation for frontline team members and their families.

Fortem hosted free family events for St John WA members from June 3 to June 11, including lighting up landmarks in teal across Australia on the evening of 9 June. In WA, they included Perth, Fremantle, Bunbury, Busselton, Manjimup, Albany, Geraldton and Port Hedland significant structures.

Thank you to all first responders and their supporters near and far.