St John Ambulance Australia will celebrate its 140 Year Anniversary this Saturday 24 June, 2023. St John was established in Australia through the delivery of first aid to railway and early industry workers in 1883, in Victoria. Now, through the tireless work of around 20,000 staff and volunteers across Australia, the mission to save lives through first aid interventions is as imperative as ever.  

To demonstrate the ongoing importance of first aid, St John Ambulance Australia shared results of a new survey, which revealed that around 72 percent of Australian adults say they have witnessed a health or medical emergency, yet more than half (53 per cent) wouldn’t be confident in their ability to provide first aid in such a situation.  

Results also found:

• Almost three in 10 (28 per cent) surveyed Australian adults reported never having undertaken first aid training;  
• Fewer than four in 10 (36 per cent) had training that could be considered current (received in the past 3 years);  
• More than half (51 per cent) of those who witnessed a health or medical emergency had provided first aid to someone during the emergency; and
• People who had undertaken first aid training in the past three years were significantly more likely (than those who haven’t), to have confidence in their ability to provide care in an emergency (74 per cent compared to 31 per cent).

To celebrate the 140-year milestone, St John Ambulance NSW Divisions across the state are hosting several events across the state, including several Rededication Services in Sydney and regional NSW where members of our organisation renew their commitment to service, along with celebratory dinners and online celebrations to ensure inclusion for all members. 

To read more about the findings, click here.