St John Ambulance SA Ltd Annual Report 2024-25

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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