ST JOHN NT
NEWSROOM

Three weeks into their new job with St John Ambulance NT, eight new paramedics-in-training are busting with pride and excitement about their new jobs.

Clinical Services Officer Rhys Gloury said the graduate interns had all completed their three-year university studies in Paramedicine before starting an internship with St John Ambulance NT on August 13.

“Our new paramedics come from really diverse backgrounds and they are all very excited for the adventure and experience that comes with their new roles in the Northern Territory,” Mr Gloury said.

“During their introduction period, the young men and women get a Territory orientation including meeting Parks and Wildlife Rangers and teambuilding sessions with colleagues from the Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services or the RFDS. The graduates also go through lots of hands-on training on working on our ambulances.

After their eight-week introduction, the interns will be working at Ambulance Stations across the Northern Territory for 12 months where they will be putting their learnings into practice under the supervision of qualified paramedics, before their final assessment to becoming qualified paramedics themselves.

Graduate paramedic Craig Busuttil said his move from Sydney’s Eastern Beaches to Darwin earlier this month had been an exciting eye-opener.

“I’d never been to Darwin before I started with St John,” the 32-year-old said. “The culture and work environment here is very different. Everyone helps each other, people care for each other. And everyone is very patient with us while we’re learning and experiencing so many new things.”

The former fitness instructor - who spent four years working on cruise ships in the US - said he was excited about finally being able to fulfil his dream of becoming a paramedic.

“I always knew that I wanted to be a paramedic, but I also knew that a certain maturity is required to be able to do the job. After eight years in fitness and management and four years overseas, I felt I’d developed the required maturity to do what I’ve always wanted to do – and I couldn’t be happier about being here in Darwin.”

Mr Busuttil said seeing his first real crocodile – a Parks and Wildlife show-and-tell baby saltie – had been a highlight of his time in the Top End so far.

One of Mr Busuttil’s new colleagues, 27-year-old Breanna Thiele, said she was thrilled about her move from Adelaide to Darwin to join the St John Ambulance team.

“My uncle moved here when he was young and he’s retired now and still here after all those years,” Ms Thiele said. “I’m excited to be following in his footsteps.”

With a background in sport science, Ms Thiele said she came to the NT in the search for a workplace that would allow her to combine a health focus with an adrenaline-rich ‘outdoorsy’ job.

“I’m loving it,” she said. “I’m loving the Territory, the lifestyle, the fact that everyone is so relaxed and laid back.

“And you can get the world’s best laksa at the Markets.”

Hailing from Shepparton in Victoria, 26-year-old Harrison Lopez joined the new group of St John Ambulance graduates from a mining background.

“I was a laboratory technician in mines in Western Australia, but mining work was a bit tedious.”

Looking for a lifestyle change, Mr Lopez finished his university studies before taking on a new challenge in the Territory.

“The NT and the people here have been extremely welcoming and friendly, and the first few weeks of our training have been excellent,” he said.

“We’re learning so much in a fun and really engaging way.

“I can’t wait to see more of the Northern Territory, especially Alice Springs.”

Mr Lopez said his new workplace and job were ‘very rewarding’, offering a variety of opportunities and possibilities that couldn’t be experienced anywhere else in Australia.