Pictured left to right: Mat Kim (NSW), Benjamin Cocks (VIC), Jack Soames (SA), William Sears (NSW), Jason Fonseka (WA), Madeleine McFarlane (NSW), Simone Shandley-Jones (WA), Kate Thornton (QLD), Camren Jones (VIC).
St John NT paramedics are contributing far more than emergency medical care to the Territory, with new workforce data highlighting the broader economic and community impact of ambulance recruits choosing to build their lives in the Northern Territory.
Over the past financial year, St John NT has welcomed 29 paramedics from interstate and overseas, with many relocating permanently to the Territory with partners, children and families.
St John NT CEO Abigail Trewin AM said ambulance recruitment delivers benefits that extend far beyond healthcare.
“Behind every new paramedic recruit is a person or family contributing to the Territory in meaningful ways beyond their clinical role,” Ms Trewin said.
“These are people renting and buying homes, enrolling children in schools, joining sporting clubs, supporting local businesses, travelling throughout the Territory and becoming part of the social fabric of our communities.
“Properly resourced frontline services do more than strengthen emergency healthcare capability. They bring skilled workers and families to the Territory, support local economies and help strengthen communities.
“These people save lives at work, and outside of uniform they are neighbours, volunteers, coaches, teammates and active members of the community.
“The Territory’s unique environment and strong sense of community continue to attract people seeking both professional growth and lifestyle opportunities.
“But what keeps many people here is the community. Territory people are welcoming, and our staff become part of that very quickly.”
For William Sears and his partner, who is also a paramedic, relocating from Sydney to Alice Springs was initially intended to be a short-term move.
“We originally came to the Territory for the experience and adventure,” they said.
“Eighteen months later, we’ve built great friendships through the community and completely embraced the lifestyle that comes with living and working in Central Australia.
“Outside of work we spend our time – and money – camping, hiking and travelling across the Territory, from Central Australia and the Top End to upcoming trips through Arnhem Land.
“Professionally, the experience you gain here is unlike anywhere else. You’re exposed to remote practice, major incidents and a huge variety of clinical presentations very quickly.
“The work is incredibly rewarding, but so is the lifestyle and sense of community you build here.”
Having recently relocated to Darwin from New Zealand himself, St John NT Director Ambulance Services Samuel Kellick said he has already seen both the professional appeal of Territory ambulance work and the broader contribution recruits make to local communities.
“When people think about ambulance services, they think about emergency response, but there is also a very real workforce, economic and community contribution that comes with attracting skilled healthcare professionals to the Territory.
“These are people supporting local businesses, joining community groups and contributing to regional economies while helping deliver essential healthcare services across the Territory.”
