Broken Hill’s St John Ambulance Adult and Cadet Divisions are looking for new members.
Sandra Haring from St Johns said the Divisions accept members between the ages of eight and 70, who, “have an interest in doing something good for your community and helping people in times of need, plus have fun doing it and form friendships that last a lifetime”.
2023 Local Citizen of the Year, Marg Pope, is a long-standing member of the local St John’s group.
She first joined the service more than 20 years ago, following the death of her partner from a heart attack. She says that traumatic event resulted in her children wanting, “to learn first aid, so we went along to St John, and I started volunteering as a non-clinical member”.
“It’s not just all about first aid, there are fun days and there are camps, so I say to anyone who is interested to just join, because everyone learns from it, and it opens so many careers up, including nursing careers. It gives them the perfect kickstart,” Ms Pope said.
The Broken Hill Cadet Division meets every Wednesday evening from 6.45pm to 9pm, excluding school holidays, at the St John Ambulance Hall at 3 McGillivray Drive, which is over the railway line on the way to the Line of Lode lookout.
Further details relating to the Cadet Division can be obtained by contacting Cadet Superintendent Sandra Haring via 0419 408 132 or via [email protected], or [email protected]
For those over 18, the Adult Division held their first meeting on February 6, and they meet every second Tuesday. Their next meeting will be held on Tuesday March 5, from 6.30pm until 8.30pm at the St John Hall.
“If first aid is not for you, but you would still like to support our frontline Event Health Services crews, you can take on non-operational volunteer roles,” says Ms Haring.
Further details on the Adult Division can be obtained by contacting Paul Mackinder, Superintendent of the Broken Hill Adult Division, via 0408 637 756 or on [email protected]
PICTURE: New vehicles are not the only items St John’s members hope to receive in 2024, with an urgent membership drive aiming to attract new recruits. Photo supplied.
