ST JOHN NT
NEWSROOM

Three new recruits to St John NT will kick off the new year as trainees in the inaugural First Aid Trainer Traineeship, a 12-month program open for anyone from high school graduates to people late in their careers looking for a change.

Trainees will mainly work within our first aid training department for the duration of the program, but will get experience within all St John NT departments. They will be given opportunities to learn hands on first aid skills at events, working alongside the Volunteer Department. On successful completion of the full program will become fully qualified first aid trainers.

Bonnie-Lee is a St John NT volunteer and came across the traineeship on our Facebook page.

“I’m Territory born and bred – I grew up in Arnhem Land and moved to Darwin for work opportunities and development.

“I wanted to apply for the first aid traineeship because I have grandparents and great-grandparents who have worked on the frontline in emergency services and I’ve always had a passion to work in health.”

Bonnie-Lee currently holds a Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care and by the end of the traineeship she will also have a Certificate II in Medical Service First Response and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

“Since becoming a volunteer and being employed with St John NT I have met amazing lifelong friends and noticed how much St John NT value and look after their employees and volunteers.

“St John NT is pretty much a family and I can’t wait to learn new skills and develop my knowledge within the health and first aid sectors.”

Samantha also had an interested in health and first aid but did not have any prior experience.

“I had been working as a barista for two years here in Darwin when I saw the advertisement online and decided to aim bigger and make a career out of something I was already interested in.

“A lot surprised me about St John NT! I had no idea how much history was involved with the organisation. I have already learned heaps so far and I’m excited to learn more.”

Seeing different parts of the Territory was something that attracted Samantha to the traineeship.

“I am really looking forward to being able to travel and teach the public about the importance of first aid.”

Similarly, Ben is also keen to get out and travel around the Territory.

“I was surprised to see the remote areas that St John NT delivers first aid to and that’s definitely a part of the role that I am most looking forward to!”

From council gardener to first aid trainer, Ben was ready to get off the tools when he saw the Traineeship on SEEK – though he’s no stranger to first aid!

“I grew up doing surf lifesaving which would involve volunteering down the beach to provide first aid, so I have a little experience previously.”

Our new trainees’ songs of the week are In Hell I’ll Be In Good Company by The Dead South, April Sun in Cuba by Dragon and Hall of Fame by the Script…we’ll let you match the song to the trainer!