St John Ambulance NSW is a registered charity aiming to make first aid a part of everyone’s life. 

The Kiama Combined Division covers local Kiama events such as the seasonal netball competition, the New Years Eve festivities, community events such as car shows and street fairs, Kiama Show, Albion Park Show and Berry Show, plus local music events. 

It’s net also casts wider than Kiama and has it covering events in the Berry area such as the Berry Celtic Festival, and things like ‘Bundanoon is Brigadoon’ in the Southern Highlands and events located in the Shellharbour LGA like triathlons and the Southern Youth and Families Awards Night, to name a few. 

Melissa Williamson is the Officer in Charge of Kiama Combined Division and has volunteered with St John for about 28 years. She says, “You never know when you may need to use the skills to help friends, family and others in need.”

Recently the Kiama Combined Division received a $1786 grant from the government which it is using for a radio base station that will help boost their radio signals when they cover events that span a wide distance such as the Red Cross Fun Run.

“We occasionally work with Wollongong Combined Division supporting them with events at the WEC and WIN Stadium. We also have the option to join in on Sydney based events like New Years Eve activities, City to Surf, the Royal Easter Show, the MS Sydney to Gong Bike Ride and various events at Qudos Bank Arena, plus many more,” Melissa says.

St John Ambulance first came to Australia in 1883, and there are about 70 Divisions operating in NSW. Kiama Combined Division has been in operation since December 1980, and is fairly young compared to some other divisions. 

Once a week on a Wednesday night the Kiama Division trains at the Kiama SES Hall from 7-9pm, except during school holidays. There are about 15 members spanning a wide age range, including cadets (those under 18 years old). 

Melissa reveals, “You don’t need a first aid certificate to join, as obtaining one can be arranged for you once you sign up. First aid training is free of charge to members.”

You also don’t need to be a healthcare professional (doctor, nurse or paramedic) to put your skills to use, although Melissa says, “We always welcome health care professionals too, as their knowledge is great to assist in training our members if the healthcare professional has an interest in teaching others.”

It’s also good to have health care professionals at the higher injury risk events, and the option is always open for them to attend bigger Sydney based events like music festivals, the Royal Easter Show and the City to Surf to name a few. Upon application new members need to go through a few checks including a criminal record check and a Working With Children’s check, as well as provide a couple of character references and can then move forward from there.

Like most charities, St. John Ambulance always needs more volunteers to be able to continue to offer its services. Some events can’t go ahead without St John Ambulance coverage, as their insurance requires that they have first aid in attendance. Melissa says, “There is definitely more demand for our services than we are able to provide, and we do need to knock back events where we just don’t have the volunteers available.” 

“If you are interested in first aid or want to do something different to your day job, want to help your local community, make new friends (within a great team), joining St John Ambulance might be a good fit. Most events are on weekends, so you would need to be available some weekends to put your skills to use. New members are always accompanied by a more senior member who provides guidance.”

“Honing your skills will bring you confidence in using them. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve needed my skills outside St John events in my everyday life,” adding, “We would love to be able to continue the support of our local community and its surrounds with events and sports activities, but in order to do this we do need volunteers,” Melissa says.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please register www.stjohnnsw.com.au/volunteering.

More information about the types of activities undertaken by St John Ambulance can be found on their state website: www.stjohnnsw.com.au.

Members on duty at the Bundanoon Winterfest: