St John Ambulance SA Ltd Annual Report 2024-25

2024 2025

Annual Report

St John Ambulance SA

St John Ambulance SA

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Annual Report 2024/25

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Acknowledgement of Country

Reconciliation Action Plan We are proud to work in a spirit of reconciliation towards a more diverse and inclusive St John Ambulance SA. Having completed our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), as an organisation we have been able to reflect on our cultural inclusivity and provide educational opportunities to members to understand and embrace the concept of reconciliation and apply it in their everyday lives. Our Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group (RWG) is comprised of passionate individuals who have championed the areas of relationships, respect, opportunities and governance in relation to reconciliation. We have shared our skills and knowledge in first aid and social support with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and embraced opportunities to learn and understand more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and their rich history. As we continue on our journey of reconciliation, we are close to completing our Innovate RAP and we look forward to continuing to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities towards greater support and shared understanding. We acknowledge their enduring cultural, spiritual and emotional connection to Country, and pay our respects to Elders past and present. St John Ambulance SA acknowledges and pays respect to Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples; the Traditional Owners of the Land on which we are fortunate enough to live, work and learn.

St John Ambulance SA

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St John Ambulance SA is a charity that has been supporting the wellbeing of South Australians for 140 years. We help tens of thousands of people across the state each year through the delivery of health and medical services, first aid training and products, and social inclusion programs. Community resilience and wellbeing are at the heart of everything we do, and our dedicated volunteers and support staff carry out our range of programs and activities to this end. “Community resilience and wellbeing are at the heart of everything we do” Our vision and mission Vision To create a safe, supported, engaged and resilient South Australian community. Mission To ensure wellbeing of all South Australians is improved through St John SA’s delivery of innovative, client-centred and evidence-based health, community and educational products and services. All our work is underpinned by a professional network of volunteers and staff. Motto The international and national work of St John follows the mottos which we align ourselves to today: For the Faith and in the Service of Humanity. We are part of the international St John movement – The Order of St John is formally known as The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem, first constituted by Royal Charter in 1888.

Annual Report 2024/25

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Contents

Our impact

6 8

Chair of the Board’s report Chief Executive’s report

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What we do Health and Medical Services

12 14 16 17 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 37

Community Care First Aid in Schools

Youth

Education and products State Emergency Response

History and heritage

Year in review Community Care Chair’s report Training Services Chair’s report Chair of Operations report

Fundraising Our people

Honours and awards Members of the Order Sponsors and supporters

St John Ambulance SA

Governance Governance statement

38 39 40 42

Regulatory and legislative environment

Our structure

Board

Funding Funding

44

Financials – Treasurer’s report Auditor’s and Director’s Declaration Independent Auditor’s report Statement of Comprehensive Income Statement of Financial Position (Balance Sheet) Statement of Cash Flows

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Volunteer Hours

27,799 First aid event duty hours 26,239 Training hours

13,970 Community Care hours 3,793 Heritage conservation hours

Healthcare professionals: 43

Event Responders: 79

Annual Report 2024/25

Event Medics: 61

Value of Volunteering Hours

$2,728,919 Health & Medical Services $705,504 Community Care programs

$191,547 History & Heritage conservation $3,625,970 Total value of volunteering hours

Our Im

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Communities helped

1,700 Events & emergencies attended 2,684 Total Clinical Patient Treatments

300 Community Care clients 9,661 School children first aid trained

Education & Products

382,120 Public training hours 40,618 Public training certificates issued

$3,913,370 First aid kits and equipment in SA homes, workplaces & cars

Our People

St John Ambulance SA

435 Health & Medical Services volunteers 271 Youth

198 Community Care volunteers

235 Staff (86.4 full time equivalent) 27 Historical Society volunteers

mpact

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Mary Patetsos AM Chair of the Board

Chair of the Board’s report

Annual Report 2024/25 through to our donors, supporters, and partners, all of these people enable us to be at the forefront of community care, resilience, and lifesaving service across South Australia. Our volunteers remain at the heart of everything we do. More than 435 Health and Medical Services volunteers provided frontline support at events and emergencies across the state, while 198 Community Care volunteers made an enormous difference to the daily lives of older and vulnerable South Australians by offering companionship, transport, and practical support. We were also proud to see 271 youth members engage in meaningful learning and service, with the option this year for those aged 16 and over to join adult teams, opening clearer pathways into clinical training and future careers in health. Our Historical Society volunteers continued their important work of conserving the organisation’s heritage, while our St John Band members once again enriched St John events with their music. I also acknowledge and sincerely thank my fellow Board Directors and our dedicated committee members. Their time, knowledge, and insight provide essential guidance as we oversee and strengthen the organisation’s impact. I also wish to acknowledge outgoing Board Director, Shane Bolton, for his valuable contributions during his time on the Board. I am pleased to welcome Blake After another busy year of activity and achievements, I am very pleased to provide the 2024–25 Chair of the Board report. This year has again highlighted the extraordinary dedication and generosity that underpin every part of our organisation. From our volunteers and staff

Lawrenson in Shane’s place, and look forward to the insights that he will no doubt continue to bring to the organisation. This year has been marked by major initiatives that enhance both the way we serve the community and the way we support our people. Among these achievements were: • The launch of the New Member Hub trial, giving new volunteers a smoother and more personalised entry into St John while easing the administrative load on local teams. • Arrival of the new Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) fleet and the first brand-new Mercedes Sprinter ambulance in a decade, enabling us to support SA Ambulance Service and representing significant investment in our growing Non Emergency Patient Transport service. • Multiple activations under the State Emergency Management Plan, most notably a 12-day deployment during the Mount Remarkable National Park bushfire, where our teams worked alongside SA Ambulance Service and other agencies in a complex and sustained response. • Community Care’s successful Quality Audit in September 2024, the securing of a two year extension of Community Home Support Program (CHSP) funding to 30 June 2027, and a wide range of community engagement activities, including multiple expos, presentations and activations. • Training achievements including the new rollout of the Event Medic scope of practice training program, which provides a faster and safer transition into a scope of practice for paramedicine students, as well as the

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aid training certificates to members of the public last year. These people all contribute to our community resilience and emergency preparedness – the value of which cannot be overstated. These achievements reflect not only the dedication of our volunteers and staff but also the crucial support we receive from donors, sponsors, and the many South Australians who choose St John for training, equipment, and event health and medical services. Your support directly enables us to deliver on our mission and to build safer, stronger communities. As the Chair of the St John Federal Council – the national group of all CEOs and Board Chairs from across St John in Australia – it has also been rewarding to witness the development and rollout of national endeavours, such as the Brand Unity Initiative, which will see harmony of many brand assets across all St John jurisdictions in Australia. On behalf of the Board, I also wish to acknowledge outgoing CEO, Mark Groote, for his leadership throughout his tenure, and thank Interim CEO, Maree Geraghty, who commenced in March 2025, and has been providing guidance and support to the organisation during this leadership transition. Our Executive team, together with our wider staff team and volunteers, ensure that St John Ambulance SA remains trusted, relevant, and ready to support the community whenever and wherever we are needed. Looking ahead, St John Ambulance SA is well placed to build on these achievements. With strong foundations, committed people, and the continued backing of the community, we are ready to meet the challenges of the future while remaining steadfast in our vision of creating a safe, supported, engaged and resilient South Australian community. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey in the past year. Together, we continue to make a lasting difference.

“Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey in the past year. Together, we continue to make a lasting difference.”

introduction of a one-day First Aid for Mental Health course in our public first aid training suite. The scale of contribution across the organisation this year has also been remarkable. Our Health and Medical Services volunteers and staff covered 1,700 events and emergencies, including the Royal Adelaide Show, WOMAdelaide, Schoolies, the Vailo Adelaide 500, and major fixtures at Adelaide Oval. 27,799 volunteer duty hours were contributed at events, and another 26,239 hours were dedicated to training, as well as a staggering 20,189 administration and support hours to keep things running behind the scenes. An invaluable 13,970 Community Cares volunteer hours were also provided. When we consider the value of volunteering, we can look to the Volunteering SA/ NT volunteering dollar replacement hourly rate figure for South Australia. This sees our total volunteering contribution valued at $3.6 million for the last financial year alone. This highlights what a profound impact St John volunteers have on the community. Another vital impact we have in the community is through our first aid training. This empowers South Australians with the skills and knowledge to assist a friend, colleague, family member, or passerby in times of need or even emergency. To this end, I am pleased to report that we issued 40,618 first

St John Ambulance SA

Mary Patetsos AM Chair of the Board

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Maree Geraghty Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officer’s report It has been my privilege to step into the role of Chief Executive Officer at St John Ambulance SA and to support an organisation that continues to demonstrate resilience, professionalism, and compassion in serving the South Australian community. The year 2025 marks two important milestones for St John SA – 140 years of operation in South Australia and 100 years of the St John Youth Program. Both milestones have provided an opportunity to reflect on our proud history and enduring community legacy, and to recognise how many generations of South Australians we have empowered with lifesaving skills to build a more resilient community. Across all areas of our organisation, the dedication of our volunteers and staff has remained the driving force behind our success. This year, 951 volunteers and 83 support staff contributed to our mission, delivering vital health and medical services, community care, and first aid training and products that make a tangible difference every day. Collectively, our volunteers dedicated more than 90,000 hours of service, valued at over $3.6 million to the South Australian economy. St John SA is operating in a competitive and changing environment. The path travelled and learnings that got St John SA to where it is today may not get us to where we wish and need to be for the future state of the organisation. St John SA has reported a net operating deficit which needs to be addressed. The management team is continually reviewing strategies and a range of activities to ensure ongoing financial sustainability. Our focus has been on business improvement, efficiently running the organisation, and ensuring our revenue covers costs.

We need to grow our services including first aid training, first aid products, health and emergency response at major events and community activities, patient transport, Community Care and fundraising. St John SA delivers outstanding services to the community and we continue to develop our staff and volunteers to ensure they have the necessary skills and expertise to provide this great work. Our Health and Medical Services teams attended more than 1,700 events and emergencies, with 435 active volunteers providing care and reassurance to tens of thousands of South Australians. In addition to supporting some of the state’s largest events, our teams were called upon for multiple emergency activations under the State Emergency Management Plan (SEMP). Our volunteers and staff demonstrated professionalism, skill, and dedication as they quickly and effectively responded to these incidents, highlighting our strong emergency response capability. This capability has been further strengthened through the introduction of a new Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) fleet and the acquisition of a new Mercedes Sprinter ambulance, which will also enhance our Non-Emergency Patient Transport (NEPT) operations. These investments ensure our fleet and systems remain modern, safe, and fit for purpose – supporting both clinical operations and community response. Our Community Care Program continues to be a vital part of the organisation’s social impact. This year, 198 volunteers supported 300 clients across metropolitan Adelaide, contributing 13,970 hours of service valued at $705,504.

Annual Report 2024/25

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The program maintained strong performance through a successful Quality Audit in September 2024, secured a two-year extension to Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) funding through to 30 June 2027, and continued preparations for the upcoming Aged Care Act reforms, commencing 1 November 2025. through shared military experience led Gavin to initiate the process for Colin to receive long overdue medals for his service – 75 years after his time in uniform. This act of compassion and initiative reflects the heart of Community Care and the profound difference our volunteers make in the lives of others. Education also remains one of the core pillars that enables our mission to build a safer and more resilient community. Over the past year, more than 40,000 South Australians completed first aid courses with St John, empowering them with the skills to act in an emergency. A fantastic development has been the introduction of a one day First Aid for Mental Health course, helping us to meet growing industry demand in this evolving and important area. It was also encouraging to note that 98.4% of students who provided feedback rated their St John training experience positively. Our First Aid in Schools program continued to reach young South Australians, teaching essential lifesaving skills to almost 10,000 primary school students across the state. year, with the St John Christmas Home Lottery concluding in mid-December 2024 and the St John Autumn Cash Lottery concluding in late June 2025. For the first time, the St John Christmas Home Lottery was run as a national campaign, supporting other St John states and territories in addition to SA. It was fantastic to see the collaboration across our federation, and we are deeply grateful to A particular highlight this year was the story of volunteer Gavin and client Colin, whose connection We once again operated two very successful St John Lottery programs during the 2024/25 financial

everyone who supports the St John lottery programs, which remain our primary fundraising initiatives in South Australia. These fundraisers play a pivotal role in enabling us to carry out our important programs and services in the community. Alongside the 2024 St John Christmas Home Lottery, we also undertook the St John Drive-a-thon, which kicked off on Restart a Heart Day (16 October) in Darwin. St John SA coordinated with other St John state and territory offices to deliver a nine week, 16,000-kilometre journey around Australia. Volunteer teams took turns driving from location to location, bringing free CPR lessons to communities across the country and donating $50,000 worth of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to regional community groups and schools. As we look to the year ahead, we will maintain a mindset of continuous improvement across all that we do, ensuring we remain at the forefront of high quality service delivery – something we take great pride in. I would like to once again convey my sincere thanks to all our volunteers and staff who make St John SA what it is and make our community work possible. Their professionalism, care, and community spirit embody the very best of St John. I would also like to acknowledge our Board of Directors, Committee Members, and Executive Management Team for their strategic leadership and governance, which are critical to our success. Thank you to everyone who works so hard to ensure that St John Ambulance SA remains a trusted, innovative, and indispensable part of the South Australian community – today and for generations to come.

St John Ambulance SA

Maree Geraghty Chief Executive Officer

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Health and Medical Services St John Ambulance SA Health and Medical Services has a proud and long-standing history of 140 years of service to the South Australian community. As the largest and most comprehensive provider of Health and Medical Services in the state, we play a critical role in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of participants and attendees at events across the region.

Annual Report 2024/25

Volunteer Teams

Adelaide Central Arno Bay Band Campbelltown Event Comms Logistics Lower North Limestone Coast

Mitcham Mt Barker Murray Bridge Noarlunga

Unley Victor Harbor West Torrens Whyalla Woodville

Playford Prospect Pt Lincoln Pt Pirie

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More than just a first aid service We’re committed to providing more than just ‘first aid’. Our staff are trained at a level far exceeding standard first aid requirements and undergo continuous professional development to ensure the highest standards of care.

Events

1,700 Events attended 2,684 Clinical patients treated

20,000+ Total patient presentations 6 Major venue coverage

Qualifications and training A continual national skills competency program ensures all volunteers are accredited to deliver the latest healthcare techniques. 27,799 Duty hours 20,189 Admin/other support hours $2,728,919 Total value of volunteering hours (duty and training) 26,239 Training hours Volunteers Our network of dedicated volunteers give their time, care and expertise to support the South Australian community. 435 Adults 2 BRT events covered Bicycle Response Team (BRT) BRT crews use bikes kitted out with medical equipment, navigating crowds for a rapid clinical response.

St John Ambulance SA

1 The updated volunteer dollar replacement hourly rate figure for 2024/25 is $50.50 per hour and was provided by Volunteering SA/NT. The basis of this calculation is taken from the biannual Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) average weekly earnings figures for Australia. This methodology follows Associate Professor, Dr Lisel O’Dwyer’s (previously Prof Duncan Ironmonger) approach to calculating a dollar value figure for volunteering, and is one of the calculations that forms the overall value of volunteering figure.

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Community Care

Annual Report 2024/25 volunteer-client relationship. The Community Care program has a wellness and reablement focus to allow for clients to retain independence and continue to live their lives in a way that is meaningful to them. Volunteers and clients both gain so much from our program. One such example is our volunteer Judy, who joined us in 2021 and currently supports four clients and takes on additional fill-in shifts when needed. During one of these shifts, she met a client, and they’ve since developed a lovely social connection. A beautiful example of this is the experience of one of our volunteers, Emma. She joined St John Community Care in 2023 while studying a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), hoping to gain real world experience and give back to her community. She was soon matched with a client living with dementia in a residential facility. Our team of caring and dedicated volunteers are matched one-to-one with clients based on shared interests and goals to build an empowering

Through her patience and warmth, Emma helped her client feel seen and understood, building trust and connection where relationships had previously been difficult. As her client’s health changed, Emma sought ways to better support her, completing Mental Health First Aid training and maintaining close communication with staff to adapt her visits. When her client’s health declined to a point that their visits could no longer continue, Emma began visiting other residents, quickly becoming a familiar and welcome presence across the facility. Her visits spanned from bringing in her dog and pet bearded dragon for therapy visits, to joining weekly bus trips and helping ensure every outing ran smoothly and safely. Emma’s kindness and initiative have made her an integral part of the community – so much so that residents insist she keep visiting, even if she one day stops volunteering. Her impact led to her nomination by St John as Young Volunteer of the Year at the 2024 National Volunteer Week Awards.

North East South West 4 COMMUNITY CARE REGIONS IN METROPOLITAN ADELAIDE

SPECIALISED SERVICES PROGRAM (METRO-WIDE) - Treasured Stories Program

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Community Care program Extending the gift of friendship as a volunteer can include home visiting or outings, help with shopping or a friendly chat, to improve quality of life.

Our People

300 Community Care clients 198 Community Care volunteers

10 Community Care support staff

Volunteers Our compassionate and devoted volunteers make a meaningful difference in the lives of our clients by building bridges to community involvement, independence, self-esteem and confidence.

13,970 Volunteer hours

$705,504 Value of volunteering hours 2

St John Ambulance SA

Funding Commonwealth Government Department of Health – Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) The St John SA Aged Care Volunteer Visitor Scheme is Funded by the Australian Government. Commonwealth Home Support Program Funded by the Australian Government Department of Health. Visit the Department of Health website: www.health.gov.au for more information. Although funding for this program has been provided by the Australian Government, the material contained herein does not necessarily represent the views or policies of the Australian Government.

2 The updated volunteer dollar replacement hourly rate figure for 2024/25 is $50.50 per hour and was provided by Volunteering SA/NT. The basis of this calculation is taken from the biannual Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) average weekly earnings figures for Australia. This methodology follows Associate Professor, Dr Lisel O’Dwyer’s (previously Prof Duncan Ironmonger) approach to calculating a dollar value figure for volunteering, and is one of the calculations that forms the overall value of volunteering figure.

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The First Aid in Schools (FAiS) program is a community initiative that St John SA provides to primary schools free of charge. FAiS teaches vital first aid skills to students from Reception to Year 6, covering topics such as how to call an ambulance, dealing with an unconscious person, fundamental first aid principles, and even cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for older students. These skills are vital for life and we’re hopeful that early first aid education means these students will remember the importance of first aid and be active contributors to community resilience and safety throughout their life. School participation 97 Schools involved 9,661 Student graduates Trainers A team of specialist trainers instills the skills and confidence to respond safely to emergencies, with students able to continue an interest through the St John SA Youth Development program. 2 Trainers 1 (0.4 full time equivalent) Staff coordinator

First Aid in Schools

First Aid in Schools fits within the South Australian Curriculum, Standards and Accountability Framework and the Australian Curriculum: Health & Physical Education Learning Area.

Annual Report 2024/25

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Youth Development

271 Youth

9,212 Youth hours 1 Grand Prior awards 47 Proficiency certificates 20 Youth leadership course participants 19 youth teams Blackwood Campbelltown Gawler Marion Mallala Mitcham/Col Light Gardens Mt Barker Mt Gambier Noarlunga

Our Youth Development program teaches first aid skills to children aged 11 to 17. Once qualified they can start attending selected events and providing first aid to our community under the supervision of our highly qualified adult members. Beyond first aid, our young people learn a range of important life skills that see them develop the tools, confidence and compassion to contribute in a positive way to their community. Youth members can attend a range of fun camps and competitions and even earn proficiency badges and SACE points along the way. A number of personal development and leadership opportunities are available to empower our youth to explore their potential. We focus on providing a fun, safe and engaging platform for young people to contribute to the community whilst developing key first aid, life and social skills.

Playford Prospect Pt Adelaide Pt Pirie Tea Tree Gully Unley West Torrens Whyalla

St John Ambulance SA

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Since 1883, St John has been saving lives and empowering the community through first aid training courses and products. As the leading provider of first aid training in South Australia, St John offers a range of accredited and non accredited first aid courses to suit all industries and skill levels. Ranging from basic resuscitation to advanced life support, and even various industry specific courses, there’s a course to suit every need. St John SA is an approved training provider with SafeWork SA and a member of the Australian Resuscitation Council. All first aid course content is regularly audited against requirements for the Registered Training Organisation governing body, the Australian Skills Quality Authority. Our extensive range of first aid products allow businesses, communities and individuals to be first aid ready and increase their emergency preparedness. All products are TGA approved and conform to all applicable standards. Alongside our range of products, we also offer restocking services for South Australian businesses. Our team will audit and replenish the contents of kits to ensure

they are always ready for first aid accidents and emergencies. Knowledgeable St John First Aid Advisors can also conduct a St John Safe Workplace First Aid Assessment to help businesses identify their first aid requirements and remain compliant.

First aid kits: 13.15%

Books, posters & stickers: 0.34%

Components: 33.71%

Defibrillators: 52.80%

Annual Report 2024/25

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Learning how to save a life Accredited and non-certificate training courses are delivered at St John SA training centres across the state, and on-site at participant venues. 382,120 Public first aid training hours 40,618 Public training certificates issued Education & Products

New in 2024/25 We extended our SJx or ‘St John Experience’ platform to be used in CPR courses as well. This incorporates immersive technology to deliver a high-quality, enhanced training experience. We also introduced a 1-day First Aid for Mental Health course to meet increasing demand in the psychological safety space. 23 public training venues Adelaide

Berri Clare Elizabeth

Gawler Kadina Kent Town Marion Modbury Morphett Vale Mount Gambier Mt Barker Murray Bridge Prospect Pt Augusta Pt Lincoln Pt Pirie Tanunda Unley x2 Victor Harbor Whyalla Woodville

St John Ambulance SA

Onsite training courses We provide a range of courses onsite for businesses and groups that wish to train a number of people at the same time. 3,548 Onsite course training certificates

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State Emergency Response

As a community organisation operating purely for the benefit of the South Australian community, we take our role in the State Emergency Management Plan very seriously. St John SA is a participating organisation within the Ambulance Services Functional Support Group of the State Emergency Management Plan, increasing the state’s preparedness, response and recovery capacity in the event of a State Emergency. We can readily mobilise responders to provide support to emergency services during times of bushfires, floods, extreme weather events, and unprecedented events like we experienced with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Annual Report 2024/25

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3 Ambulances 16 Support vehicles (stretcher bearing) 15 Support vehicles (non-stretcher bearing) 1 Command/communications unit 1 St John SA State Operations Control Centre 435 Operations adults 24/7 State duty officer & disaster response coordinator, pagers & Government Radio Network

Strengthening SA’s ability to prepare, respond and recover from emergency Responsibilities Provide a structured command, communications and logistics capacity under the Ambulance Services Functional Support Group: • Activate/deploy personnel • First aid/casualty triage (on scene/treatment centres/hospitals/welfare facilities) • Patient evacuation (excluding rescue) • Communications Working relationships with key stakeholders Established working relationships with key emergency service providers enable us to respond cohesively. Emergency services stakeholders: SA Police, SA Ambulance Service, Country Fire Service, State Emergency Service, Metropolitan Fire Service, SA Sea Rescue Squadron, Surf Life Saving SA Readiness to respond First response crews are backed by state wide infrastructure including fleet vehicles, comprehensive medical equipment, command, communications and logistics capabilities.

St John Ambulance SA

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History & Heritage

St John SA establishes a single State Ambulance Service.

St John Ambulance Brigade formed providing first aiders at events.

St John Ambulance Australia granted status of Commandery.

St John begins in South Australia teaching First Aid.

1885

1888

1914

1936

1941

1946

1952

1988

Queen Victoria grants St John the status of a British Royal Order of Chivalry.

Cadets established in South Australia.

St John Ambulance Australia becomes a Priory.

St John Ambulance Historical Society in SA founded.

Annual Report 2024/25

Community Care program established (first known as Neighbourhood Care).

1991

2025 St John SA celebrates its 140th anniversary.

1992

Ambulance service transitioned to SA Ambulance Service

St John SA celebrates its 135 th anniversary.

Became a Company Limited by Guarantee.

First Aid in Schools program established.

2022

1999

2023

2020

2015

2013

2004

Role formalised under the State Emergency Management Plan.

St John adopts multi-national leadership (priories other than London’s Grand Priory).

Became custodians of Adelaide Carols by Candlelight.

Bicycle Response Team launched.

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Our dedicated team of Historical Society volunteers work tirelessly to collect, manage, preserve and research artefacts that reflect the history of the Order of St John and St John Ambulance. Many of these elements are on display in the St John SA Historical Museum at Brighton, which is open for members of the public to enjoy. Coupled with the extensive knowledge our Historical Society volunteers have of St John SA, the museum is a treasure trove of St John international history and memorabilia that dates back to 900 years ago. Each year, a Historical Seminar is held where the St John Historical Societies across Australia gather and subsequently publish an annual journal. This journal holds a captivating record of the St John history that ensures these important stories and moments in time are documented for future generations to enjoy. 307 Museum visitors 27 Volunteer members 3,793 Volunteer hours contributed $191,547 Value of volunteer hours 3

St John Ambulance SA

Visit the museum: 7 Arundel Road, Brighton Fridays: 10:30am-12:30pm Sundays: 1:30pm-3:30pm

Group visits can be arranged by contacting museum@stjohnsa.com.au

3 The updated volunteer dollar replacement hourly rate figure for 2024/25 is $50.50 per hour and was provided by Volunteering SA/NT. The basis of this calculation is taken from the biannual Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) average weekly earnings figures for Australia. This methodology follows Associate Professor, Dr Lisel O’Dwyer’s (previously Prof Duncan Ironmonger) approach to calculating a dollar value figure for volunteering, and is one of the calculations that forms the overall value of volunteering figure.

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Sef van den Nieuwelaar Chair of Community Care

Chair of Community Care Report Over the past year, even more meaningful connection and impact has been realised within our Community Care programs. It has been incredibly rewarding to witness how our volunteers, through their dedication and compassion, continue to bring connection, support, and joy to the lives of the clients they serve. Alongside them, our passionate and dedicated staff have worked hard to deliver programs that meet the diverse and evolving needs of the community, ensuring that our services remain both responsive and relevant. practical support but also fostering companionship and a sense of belonging for clients who might otherwise feel isolated. Our volunteers go above and beyond for their clients, taking the time to truly understand what is important to them, and helping them work towards their own personal goals. In the process, they develop meaningful relationships that enrich the lives of both clients and volunteers alike. One particularly inspiring story this year is that of volunteer, Gavin and his client, Colin. In October 2024, Gavin was matched with Colin, a gentleman living in care, south of Adelaide. Both shared a Volunteers make the meaningful work of Community Care possible, providing not only

military background, and Gavin specifically wished to support a fellow veteran. During their visits, Gavin learned that Colin had never received several medals he had earned for his service. Over the following weeks, Gavin worked with the Department of Defence and other key contacts to ensure Colin would be formally recognised. On 5 March, nearly 75 years after his service, Colin received five medals and a return-from-active service badge in a special presentation attended by Navy personnel, his family, facility staff, and St John Community Care representatives. This remarkable story highlights the extraordinary commitment of our volunteers, their attention to individual needs, and the profound difference they make in the lives of the people they support. This year, Colin proudly wore his medals to an ANZAC Day service, with Gavin by his side. The year also brought several important milestones for our services. We successfully secured a CHSP funding extension for two years (1 June 2025 – 30 June 2027), ensuring continuity of support for our clients. Preparations were undertaken for the introduction of the New Aged Care Act, which comes into effect from 1 November 2025, and our programs underwent a successful Quality Audit in September 2024, confirming our commitment to best practice and

Annual Report 2024/25

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I am very proud to report that over the past year, 198 Community Care volunteers contributed 13,970 hours, valued at $705,504, supporting 300 clients across metropolitan Adelaide. These hours represent more than practical assistance – each visit and interaction demonstrates the deep impact of volunteer engagement in creating connected, resilient communities. Looking forward, our focus remains on building on these successes by further enhancing volunteer recruitment and retention, exploring development opportunities, and identifying more ways to better support clients. We are committed to ensuring that volunteers continue to have the tools, guidance, and support they need to make a meaningful difference. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to our volunteers for their commitment, compassion and selflessness, and to our staff for the passion and enthusiasm they bring to this team. I also acknowledge the ongoing support and guidance of the Community Care Committee members with Richard Hearn and Emma Hinchey as our external experts, whose oversight and advice help shape the success of our services. Through the collective efforts of our volunteers, staff, and committee, Community Care continues to provide vital support, companionship, and connection to hundreds of South Australians. I have no doubt we will continue to build on this strong foundation in the year ahead.

“Our volunteers go above and beyond for their clients, taking the time to truly understand what is important to them.”

safe, high-quality care. These achievements reflect the professionalism and dedication of our staff and volunteers, who ensure that our services remain compliant, effective, and centred on the needs of clients. Volunteer recruitment and engagement continued to be a priority, with our team actively promoting the benefits of volunteering through a range of community events. This year, we participated in initiatives such as: • Royal Adelaide Show

St John Ambulance SA

• Disability, Ageing and Lifestyle Expo • Salisbury Volunteer Expo Pop-Up Stall

• Colonnades Pop-Up Display • Student Volunteering Expo

These events allowed us to connect with potential volunteers, showcase the diversity of roles available, and highlight the profound impact volunteers can make in the community. In addition to recruitment, our volunteers also had the opportunity to contribute to a variety of community initiatives and presentations throughout the year, further reinforcing the visibility and importance of Community Care within the wider public.

Sef van den Nieuwelaar Chair of Community Care

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Professor Hugh Grantham Chair of Training

Chair of Training Report

One of the primary purposes of the work we do at St John is to give people the skills and confidence to save lives. Whether through the quick actions of our volunteers at an event or the calm, capable response of a member of the public whom we have trained in first aid, our impact is seen every day in the lives protected and the lives saved in our community. Education remains at the core of that purpose. The quality of our teaching determines the confidence and competence of those who respond in moments that matter most. This year, our training teams have continued to strengthen both the breadth and the depth of what we deliver, ensuring that every St John course meets the highest standards of relevance, accessibility, and clinical accuracy. Our Commercial First Aid Trainers engage with members of the public every day, imparting vital first aid knowledge that strengthens community resilience. In fact, more than 41,000 South Australians completed a first aid course with St John in the past year, highlighting the impact these trained individuals can have in their everyday lives. Encouragingly, feedback from training participants has been overwhelmingly positive, with 98.4% satisfaction recorded from more than

1,800 student responses. It is pleasing to see the professionalism and passion of our trainers reflected in this feedback. The introduction of our one-day First Aid for Mental Health course has expanded our training portfolio and responded to growing community demand for skills that promote psychological safety and wellbeing. Within Operations Training, significant work has been undertaken to enhance development pathways for our volunteers. The new rollout of the Event Medic scope of practice training program has enabled a faster and safer transition for paramedicine students into operational practice. An increase in the volunteer trainer cohort has also expanded our internal training capability and improved access to ongoing development across the state. A key innovation this year has been the launch of the New Member Hub trial to improve new member engagement, skills and understanding of operations before they transition into their local teams. In addition, changes allowing volunteers aged 16 and over to join adult teams have opened new pathways for young people eager to begin clinical training earlier and pursue future careers in health.

Annual Report 2024/25

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and Event Medics were redeveloped, and new Continuing Professional Development (CPD) modules were introduced to reflect emerging clinical trends. The Committee also reviewed the clinical component underpinning the Youth Program and provided feedback to the St John Australian Office. Further, recommendations were made to support the ongoing quality assurance of the clinical content delivered in commercial first aid training courses. 5. Governance and Risk Oversight The Committee maintained close oversight of clinical risks and quality systems within the governance framework, providing regular audit reports and recommendations to the Board. Looking ahead, the Committee will continue to strengthen the clinical governance framework, enhance audit processes, and support innovation and continuous improvement in clinical practice. Collectively, these initiatives support St John’s commitment to delivering high-quality, consistent, and contemporary training across all areas of our organisation. The progress made this year continues to build a culture of learning that underpins everything we do, ensuring that when South Australians need help, there will be someone nearby who has the skills and confidence to respond.

“The quality of our teaching determines the confidence and competence of those who respond in moments that matter most.”

Clinical Governance Committee The Clinical Governance Committee (CGC)

continued to provide oversight and assurance to the St John SA Board on all aspects of the clinical governance framework, ensuring that patient care, clinical safety, and professional standards across St John SA remained of a high quality and compliant with legal and ethical obligations.

Key Achievements of the CGC included: 1. Clinical Practice Review

St John Ambulance SA

A full review of clinical activities and protocols was completed, resulting in targeted updates to strengthen patient safety and align with best practice. 2. Drug Licence Compliance The organisation’s drug licence and management processes were reviewed, confirming compliance with regulatory and governance requirements. 3. Credentialing Framework The clinical credentialing framework was revamped to provide clearer pathways for assessment and endorsement, ensuring clinical competence and accountability.

Professor Hugh Grantham Chair of Training

4. Clinical Education and Training Clinical training pathways for Event Responders

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Emeritus Professor Bill Griggs AM ASM MStJ Chair of Operations

Chair of Operations Report

Annual Report 2024/25 Our Operations volunteers and staff have continued to demonstrate progress, innovation, and commitment across the past financial year. This is made possible by the dedicated members whose expertise, compassion, and generosity are intrinsic to what we do at St John SA. Their collective effort continues to strengthen the wellbeing and resilience of communities across South Australia, and I am proud to lead this cohort. 28,000 first aid event duty hours were provided to keep communities safe, while a further 26,239 of training hours, and 20,189 of administrative and support hours prepared our volunteers to provide high quality services to our community. Together, their efforts represent a $2.73 million contribution to the South Australian economy – something they should be very proud of. Across 1,700 events and emergencies, 435 Health and Medical Services volunteers delivered support to the community, from providing first aid at major public gatherings and responding to emergency activations, to supporting local community events. No matter how big or small the deployment, the public felt safer knowing that St John was there. Importantly, these contributions also eased the I wish to highlight some exceptional contributions of our volunteers over the past year. Almost

pressure on our state’s health system through hospital avoidance and finding other more appropriate avenues for follow-up care. In the Operations Training space, it was exciting to introduce a new pathway for volunteers aged 16 and over to join an adult team rather than having to stay at the youth level, recognising their readiness for clinical training and their aspirations for future healthcare careers. This change reflects our commitment to creating clear and inclusive development pathways for all volunteers. It was also pleasing to see an increase in our volunteer trainer numbers in the past year, enabling greater access to ongoing training and development across our volunteer cohort. I thank all those members who have stepped up to support this important initiative. Our operational capability continued to expand with the arrival of a brand new Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) fleet and the addition of the first new Mercedes Sprinter ambulance to our fleet in quite some time. These investments support both our event operations and our growing role in Non Emergency Patient Transport (NEPT), ensuring our resources remain modern, safe, and reliable. This year, we also saw multiple activations under the State Emergency Management Plan (SEMP) for

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with operational practices before continuing their journey with their local teams. There has been positive feedback from this approach thus far, as it aims to strengthen engagement, consistency, and understanding of operational standards across the state. Our volunteers also had a unique opportunity to participate in the St John Drive-a-thon in late 2024. This was a 9-week journey around Australia where volunteer teams took it in turns driving St John vehicles around the country, visiting countless locations to teach the vital skill of CPR and donate Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to regional communities. This opportunity was met with passion and enthusiasm and provided the chance for volunteers to contribute to the community outside of their traditional duties. As we reflect on another busy year, we remain focused on continuing to enhance our operational efficiency, training programs, and volunteer experience. The ongoing investment in equipment, vehicles, and systems ensures we can respond to the evolving needs of the South Australian community with confidence and care. With our volunteers at the heart of all we do, I am certain that St John Ambulance SA will continue to play a vital role in first aid, health, and emergency preparedness across the state. Thank you to all our volunteers and staff for your commitment and service throughout the year. You should be proud of what you give back to the community, and it is an honour to work alongside you.

“No matter how big or small the deployment, the public felt safer knowing that St John was there. ”

the provision of Health and Medical Services during the bushfire season. The most significant of these was the 12-day deployment to the Mt Remarkable National Park bushfire. This was an excellent demonstration of inter-agency collaboration and the readiness of our volunteers to drop everything to support the community in times of crisis. Their professionalism and teamwork under challenging conditions exemplify the values of St John. including the Royal Adelaide Show, Schoolies Festival, Vailo Adelaide 500, WOMADelaide, and multiple events at Adelaide Oval. This year also saw increased utilisation of the Government Radio Network (GRN) at events, strengthening communication and coordination across operational teams. A great deal of work has also gone into reviewing and improving volunteer attraction and retention strategies. We introduced a New Member Hub trial, which brings together new volunteers in a centralised training model, where they can develop their skills and familiarise themselves As always, our volunteers held a strong presence at some of South Australia’s largest public events,

St John Ambulance SA

Emeritus Professor Bill Griggs AM ASM MStJ Chair of Operations

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