For more than 25 years, Belinda has dedicated her time, knowledge and compassion to St John Ambulance Victoria, but for her, volunteering has never just been about wearing the uniform.

“It was always something my family did,” Belinda said.

Growing up, volunteering was simply part of life. From Red Cross and Red Nose Day to Lions Club and Canteen, Belinda was surrounded by people who believed in giving back to the community and making a difference where they could.

After completing a Bachelor of Science with honours in Genetics, Belinda decided to undertake a First Aid course with St John while searching for work. It was a conversation with a friend afterwards that changed everything.

“She asked me, ‘What are you going to do with your First Aid certificate?’ and I realised I hadn’t actually thought about it,” Belinda laughed. “She suggested I join St John so I could use those skills.”

Not long after, Belinda attended a meeting at the Diamond Valley Division, although not quite in the way she expected.

“No one had brought the key to open the hall, so everyone was sitting outside on the porch chatting,” she recalled. “It was actually really lovely. I met everyone there and decided to stay.”

More than two decades later, Belinda is still making an incredible impact.

Over the years, she has held numerous leadership and training roles including Youth Manager, Officer of Training, regional support and recruitment training support and now Acting Divisional Manager. She continues to support volunteers, mentor new members and help strengthen pathways for future generations of St John volunteers. Belinda’s admission to the Order of St John was a proud moment for her and her family, a formal recognition of her volunteer service.

“I’m really lucky,” she said. “We have amazing people in our division who support one another and genuinely work as a team.”

While Belinda’s volunteering journey has included countless community events, festivals, sporting matches and major Melbourne events, it is often the human moments she remembers most.

One ANZAC Day, while providing first aid at a dawn service, Belinda and her team responded to a worker who had suffered a cardiac arrest.

“A member of the public who was a nurse had already started CPR when we arrived,” she said. “We worked together as a team and thankfully the outcome was positive.”

For Belinda, those moments reinforce the importance of first aid knowledge and community action.

“You realise how important it is that people step in and help,” she said.

Across her years with St John, Belinda has also built lifelong friendships, gained unforgettable experiences and connected with people from all walks of life.

From volunteering at the Formula 1 Grand Prix pit lane and Melbourne Marathon, to local cultural festivals and ANZAC Day services, every event has brought new lessons and new perspectives.

“You get exposed to so many different communities, traditions and experiences,” she said. “You’re always learning.”

Outside of St John, Belinda works globally as a Technical Project Manager for a pharmaceutical company, balancing complex international projects with her volunteer commitments. And recently, she’s added another important role to her life: puppy owner.

Her new puppy Milo has quickly become well-known among her fellow volunteers and training teams, often making appearances during online meetings and mental health conversations.

As St John Ambulance Victoria celebrates National Volunteer Week, Belinda’s story reminds us of the extraordinary people behind the organisation, volunteers who quietly dedicate years of their lives to helping others, supporting communities and inspiring those around them.

Thank you, Belinda, for more than 25 years of service, leadership and care.