More than 80 St John NT Youth Volunteers marched in the Darwin ANZAC Day Parade this year, the organisation’s largest youth turnout on record.
With Youth members also taking part in services across Alice Springs, Katherine, Palmerston and Litchfield, the strong participation in this year’s ANZAC Day commemorations highlight the growing number of young Territorians stepping forward to be part of community service, and to carry forward the legacy of those who have served.
St John NT Director Volunteer Event Health Services, Mark Ferguson, said seeing so many young people take part was a powerful reminder of the connection between past and present service.
“To see more than 80 of our youth members marching in Darwin, alongside others across the Territory, speaks to the values these young people are carrying forward,” he said.
“ANZAC Day is about remembering sacrifice, but it’s also about what that legacy looks like today. For our youth members, that’s service, compassion and being there when their community needs them.”
St John has a long history of supporting military and humanitarian efforts, with personnel playing key roles in the care of wounded soldiers during times of war. Those same principles continue to shape the organisation’s youth program today.
Open to young people across the Northern Territory, the St John NT Youth Program focuses on first aid, leadership and community service through weekly training and real-world experience at events. The program is free to ensure cost is not a barrier for families, and participation can contribute towards NTCET points.
Participation in this year’s ANZAC Day commemorations highlight the growing role young people are playing in keeping that spirit of service alive.
