Eight indigenous students attended what was the first of many St John Ambulance NT Yirrkala Division Cadet meetings on Wednesday 24th February 2010, demonstrating inspirational community spirit from the youth of Nhulunbuy.

With the help of a Balanda teacher and an Indigenous teacher from Yirrkala School, the students were enthusiastic and quickly learnt the basics of the DRABCD First Aid action plan. Mandy Paradise, Superintendent of Nhulunbuy St John Ambulance Cadets said “These Cadets will learn vital life saving skills that will become an asset to the growing community of Nhulunbuy into the future and will further enhance their future employability”.

“The new Cadet division has been in the planning stages over the past 8 months, following the formation of a new St John Ambulance NT Volunteer Division for adults in early 2009” said Mark Ferguson, OIC of Nhulunbuy, St John Ambulance NT. “We initially decided to trial a Cadet Division at Yirrkala to gauge the interest within the Indigenous community, involving Rosa McKenna, Principal of Yirrkala school. We are very pleased with the response and look forward to working with this energetic group of young people into the future”.

Mark Ferguson and Mandy Paradise are both extremely pleased with the outcome of the first meeting and would like to thank the Principal and staff of Yirrkala School for their support towards this worthwhile and successful initiative.