St John Ambulance SA Inc. Annual Report 2020-21

The 2020/21 financial year produced many successes; we formally commenced the implementation of our organisation’s 5-year Strategic Plan, our First Aid in Schools program was able to continue despite COVID-19 restrictions, and we were able to launch our new Training Hub, equipping both new and existing members with skills, knowledge and experience via high quality, standardised training. Our Event Health Services volunteers were kept busy despite the impacts of the pandemic attending over 2,000 events, treating more than 16,000 patients and contributing a collective $1,114,178 worth of volunteering hours. This is a significant contribution and not only benefited the wellbeing of South Australians, but also extended more broadly to our health system and community by reducing the burden on other medical facilities. Coupled with our Event Health Services volunteers’ impact at community events, Community Care staff and volunteers are continually adapting to a new way of providing services to suit the current climate whilst still delivering the key functions of the program; care, empowerment and connection. Well done to all Community Care volunteers for continuing to provide this important service and proving that social connection can be maintained while being physically distanced, ensuring that we continue to effectively assist the elderly and those at risk of social isolation. There has been significant work on maintaining properties, including the refurbishment of our Noarlunga Division Centre and the early stages of planning and scoping to update our Playford Division. These property upgrades are part of the metropolitan property strategy with these divisions doubling as public first aid training venues and represent the modern and innovative organisation St John SA continues to evolve into. I look forward to seeing future upgrades to divisions as the property strategy continues to roll out over the next financial year and beyond. CHAIR OF THE BOARD’S REPORT

Other highlights from last year include the installation of 104 public access AEDs across regional South Australia, the implementation of a new CRM for all St John SA members, and the new St John SA Mt Gambier Division Centre being opened in March, an integral asset to St John SA and the local community. The end of the 2020/21 financial year saw 40,621 public first aid course certificates delivered and over 300,000 hours provided of public and community training hours. It is extremely reassuring to know so many people in the community have received high quality, lifesaving first aid education from our highly trained St John SA Commercial Trainers, which will equip them to be able to utilise these skills in the case of an emergency. This high-quality training is part of our ongoing community impact to support the wellbeing of the wider South Australian community. The St John SA Youth Development program is going from strength to strength with our 396 Cadet volunteers accruing an impressive 1,130 duty hours and 8,433 in training hours. A huge achievement and commitment to their education and continued learning with 149 proficiency certificates awarded throughout the year. Beyond first aid, our Cadets learnt a range of important life skills that saw them develop the tools, confidence and compassion that will enable them to positively contribute to the South Australian community. St John SA continues to provide a fun, safe and engaging platform for youth to contribute to the community whilst developing key first aid, life and social skills. Another highlight for the year was the opening of The St John SA Historical Society Museum and Research Centre at the new location of 7 Arundel Road, Brighton. The official opening of the new centre was in May, after many months of hard work and dedication by our extraordinary Historical Society Volunteers, the museum was officially opened by His Excellency the Honourable Hieu Van Le AC KStJ, Governor of South Australia and Deputy Prior of the Order of St John in South Australia. The St John SA Historical Society has an impressive 26 dedicated volunteers who gave 2,995 hours of their valuable time throughout the year – what a fantastic achievement to all involved. The 2020 St John SA Christmas Home and Lifestyle Lottery was another huge success, thanks to the efforts from our staff members and support from all the South Australians who purchased tickets. We are extremely thankful that our annual lottery allows us to continue our volunteer and community programs and reminds everyone of the significant work we do and the services we offer to the South Australian community. These benevolent actions are the reason we exist as an organisation, making the community the ultimate supporters of our efforts.