ST JOHN NT
NEWSROOM

Staff and volunteers at St John NT’s Nhulunbuy Ambulance Station have welcomed the extra resource of a new operational support vehicle thanks to a $70,000 donation from Rio Tinto.

The donation forms part of Rio Tinto’s $1.1 million commitment to support East Arnhem communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

St John NT Chief Executive Officer Judith Barker welcomed the support and explained the vehicle provides increased local capacity for the St John NT team to respond, manage and provide an in-field medical command at significant events.

“This vehicle allows up to put in place plans to ramp up our response to community outbreaks of Covid-19. It provides additional capacity for the transport of personnel and equipment to the incident location and will support several regional events and service delivery within the region.”

Rio Tinto Gove Operations General Manager Alysia Tringrove said the contribution underlines Rio Tinto’s commitment to the health and wellbeing of the region and to provide resources to combat the effects of the pandemic.

“St John NT provides a vital service to remote and rural areas in the Northern Territory and this funding will help them continue to supply emergency care and other medical services to people in the East Arnhem region.

“Rio Tinto’s St John NT investment is part of a US$25 million commitment Rio Tinto has made to support communities around the globe during the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery,” Ms Tringrove said.

“This vehicle will go on to help the region beyond Covid-19,” Ms Barker said. “In the event of a major incident or cyclone, this will be the vehicle that responds first carrying extra lifesaving equipment.”

The St John NT Nhulunbuy ambulance station services the Nhulunbuy Township and the surrounding communities of the East Arnhem region.