When you meet Paige, one thing is clear straight away: she loves helping people. At just 20 years old, she is already making a big impact across Victoria as a Community Education Officer with St John Ambulance.

For the past year and a half, Paige has been travelling to schools across the state, teaching students lifesaving first aid. What she enjoys most is watching children discover something new, seeing their eyes light up when they realise they can help someone in an emergency.

“When they ask questions and get excited, that’s the best part,” she says.

When Paige first joined St John, most of her work focused on primary schools. Today, she is involved in a whole range of programs, from Party Ready in secondary schools to delivering CPR Lab sessions at major events. Her role keeps expanding, and she loves every minute of it.

A Future Nurse in the Making

Alongside her work, Paige is studying nursing. She is completing her Diploma of Nursing and plans to become a Registered Nurse.

“Nursing and first aid go hand in hand,” she explains. “Everything I learn on placement helps me teach kids how to stay calm and help others.”

Her motivation to pursue nursing came from an unforgettable moment. One rainy day, she and her mum came across a serious car crash. Despite the chaos, Paige stayed calm, comforting the injured until help arrived.

“That day I realised I wasn’t scared of emergencies; I wanted to be the person who helps.”

Living the Values of St John

Paige says her personal values match St John’s mission perfectly. Caring for people, helping others, and being part of a strong community are at the heart of everything she does.

Her dedication doesn’t stop at St John. She also volunteers as a firefighter with the CFA, supporting firefighters on the ground by checking their health and helping them recover during long, exhausting shifts.

“I can’t escape first aid wherever I go,” she laughs.

A Balanced Life: Firefighter, Educator, Student

Even with so much on her plate, Paige knows how to find balance. She goes to the gym, reads books, plays video games, and enjoys quiet nights watching Netflix. She is also just finishing up an aged care placement, which she says is teaching her a lot about life, resilience, and how she hopes to grow older one day.

This year, she is looking forward to Christmas with her big blended family, starting fresh subjects in her degree, and even taking a holiday to Vietnam.

Building a Life With Purpose

Paige’s dreams for the future are simple but powerful. She wants to grow, not only as a nurse, but as a person. She wants to build strong communication skills, find a supportive community around her, and be the kind of nurse patients remember for her kindness.

“I want people to feel cared for,” she says. “Even when they’re sick or scared, I want them to have someone who listens.”

Paige’s journey is a reminder of the incredible things young people can achieve when given opportunities, support, and room to grow.