As a lifeguard, Kerrie developed extensive first aid skills, including emergency response, CPR, and oxygen use during rescues. This experience naturally led her to pursue a role in first aid training.

These Easter school holidays, St John Ambulance Victoria is launching an exciting new initiative to equip children and teenagers with essential first aid skills in a fun, engaging, and age-appropriate way.

With a background in the Air Force, experience in first aid, and a passion for helping others, Nigel’s story is a great example of how St John can offer both personal growth and the chance to give back to the community.

March 26 is Purple Day, a global initiative dedicated to raising awareness about epilepsy.

This Neurodiversity Celebration Week, we take a moment to recognise and appreciate the unique strengths and perspectives of people who think, learn, and process information differently.

Thirteen years ago, Alessia’s life changed forever. After having had lunch together with her mum, Alessandra, she returned to her studies, leaving her mum in the kitchen having a lively conversation on the phone. Suddenly there was a silence. With steady hands and a determined heart, she performed CPR until the firefighters arrived on the scene; actions that gave her mother ten more precious years of life.

Eight years ago, Caitlin joined St John Ambulance Victoria as a nursing student looking for hands-on experience and a meaningful way to contribute to her community. What started as an opportunity to develop her skills quickly became a lifelong passion for first aid, leadership, and making a difference in people’s lives.

Last October, Raechella found herself in a moment that reinforced her belief in the importance of first aid. While celebrating her mother-in-law’s 90th birthday, a woman collapsed in the car park. A family member rushed in, asking if anyone knew how to use a defibrillator. “All eyes turned to me,” she recalls. “I ran out, and as I approached, my sister-in-law stopped everyone, saying, ‘Let Raechella through, she knows what she’s doing.’”

When Hannah joined St John Ambulance Victoria five years ago, she was just a youth member eager to learn first aid and give back to her community. Today, she’s the Divisional Youth Manager at Sunbury Youth Division, leading and inspiring the next generation of young volunteers.