St John Ambulance SA Inc. Annual Report 2020-21

STATE SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

As I look back on the 2020/21 financial year, and as my last year serving as the State Superintendent for St John SA, I am extremely proud, privileged and humbled to have spent so much time with volunteers and members, working towards creating an even better volunteer experience. We have certainly experienced some challenging times as a result of COVID-19 and subsequent restrictions, however I am proud of how our members adapted to and upheld their unparalleled level of high-quality service to the South Australian community. Our adult and youth members alike quickly modified their ways of meeting and learning, ensuring their skills remained relevant, ready to respond to the needs of the community. Notwithstanding the challenges, we were also presented with some amazing opportunities throughout the year that our cohort of incredible members enthusiastically embraced. Even with the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions, St John SA volunteers attended 2,123 events and treated 16,854 patients throughout 2020/21. St John SA is incredibly appreciative and proud to have dedicated volunteers to make these numbers possible, highlighting the substantial impact our Operations team has on the community’s health and safety. The event attendance and patients treated were not the only projects keeping our volunteers busy, however. They also managed to accumulate 23,615 training hours to ensure clinical skills and first aid best practice were maintained at all times. Furthermore, 35,098 administration and support hours were contributed to help our volunteer programs run smoothly; vital service to make our community work attainable. Event Health and Medical Services

Additionally, 2020/21 saw refurbishments commence at our Noarlunga Division centre, with a nice addition to the centre for Community Care volunteers and clients to meet and engage. Scoping and planning are underway for the refurbishment of our Playford Division, a welcomed re-fresh for all volunteers who occupy this space.

Emergency Preparedness

St John volunteers continued to support the community in times of State Emergency or disaster throughout 2020/21, specifically aiding SA Ambulance Service under the Ambulance and First Aid Functional Service – First Aid Functional Group, as part of the State Emergency Management Plan. The high standard of skills and services that St John SA volunteers offer was required more than ever during 2020/21 due to difficult circumstances for the South Australian community in times of State Emergency. As a result, our volunteers gave an impressive 21 days of their time throughout the year to support State Emergency response. I would like to personally thank each and every volunteer who generously gave their time and skillset to help our state through trying times. Our resilient cohort of volunteers put the health and safety of the South Australian community first during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when case numbers were increasing and further restrictions were being implemented. From temperature screening to assisting at COVID-19 testing locations, St John SA volunteers provided on the ground support to SA Ambulance Service and SA Health to keep the South Australian community safe. We have been fortunate in South Australia to have evaded many of the distressing repercussions of the pandemic and I thank the St John SA volunteers who played a part in the state’s excellent response to the public health crisis. This excellent response is a testament to the good work St John SA volunteers do and their dedication to learning and helping the community. Our Youth Development program had another strong year with our Cadet volunteers accruing an impressive 1,130 duty hours and 8,433 in training hours. A huge accomplishment and commitment to their education and continued learning with 149 proficiency certificates awarded throughout the year. We also celebrated the 2020 Awards Day in October, recognising Cadet’s achievements and contributions to St John SA. Well done to Junior of the Year, Jayla Nickless, Cadet of the Year, Nathaniel Sims, and Youth Leader of the Year, Emily Whyatt. Grand Prior’s Badges were also received by Alison Hanks, Samuel Shepherd, Hayley Spencer and Max Vincenzi. Congratulations to you all and a big thank you for your ongoing commitment to St John SA Youth Development. Youth Development