Three young St John NT members were recognised for their dedication, leadership and service to the community, receiving awards from the international head of the Order of St John, Professor Mark Compton AM GCStJ.
The awards were presented during a special ceremony at the Katherine Ambulance Station as part of Professor Compton’s visit to the Northern Territory.
Professor Compton, the Lord Prior of the Order of St John, is the most senior officer of the global organisation and visited Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs to meet with volunteers, paramedics, operational teams and staff.
His visit recognised the outstanding contribution made by St John NT personnel during a series of significant emergency events and natural disasters across the Territory, as well as their ongoing service to communities in some of Australia’s most remote and challenging environments.
The three youth members, Neveah Willcox, Eliana Green and Liam Leckie, received Service Shields in recognition of their commitment to personal development, leadership, community service and the values of St John.
St John NT Director Volunteer Event Health Services Mark Ferguson ASM CStJ said the awards highlighted the important role young people play within the organisation.
“These young members represent the future of St John and the future of volunteering in the Northern Territory,” Mr Ferguson said.
“They have demonstrated exceptional commitment to serving their communities, developing their skills and embodying our values of respect, integrity, compassion and empathy.
“To receive recognition from the international head of the Order of St John is a tremendous honour and a reflection of their hard work and dedication.”
Professor Compton was appointed Lord Prior of the Order of St John in 2019 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. He is unique among Lords Prior, having joined St John as a cadet and maintained almost 45 years of continuous service within the organisation.
His visit provided a rare opportunity for Territory staff and volunteers to hear firsthand about the future direction of the Order, its international humanitarian work and the vital role volunteers continue to play in supporting communities around the world.
St John operates in more than 40 countries and is one of the world’s oldest charitable organisations, delivering first aid, health services, ambulance care and humanitarian support to millions of people each year.
