Empowering rural women with First Aid & Mental Health training
Empowering Rural Women with First Aid & Mental Health training
Empowering Rural Women: St John NSW Partners with NSW Rural Women's Network
When emergency strikes in a remote community, every second counts, and so does having someone nearby with the skills to help. That’s why St John is proud to partner with the NSW Rural Women’s Network to deliver fully funded, nationally accredited First Aid and Mental Health crisis support training to women across regional and remote NSW in 2025 and 2026.
For women living in rural and remote areas of NSW, accessing the same resources and training opportunities available in major cities can be a significant challenge. Simple resources that city residents take for granted, like regular first aid courses or mental health training, are often harder to come by in regional communities.
When speaking on the second year of the partnership, St John NSW CEO Dominic Teakle said, “The overwhelming response to last year’s Rural Women’s Network Skills Roadshow demonstrates just how vital this program is for our regional communities.”
The Rural Women's Network, a NSW Government initiative, was established to address exactly this kind of disparity. By hosting events and initiatives across regional, rural and remote NSW, the network creates opportunities for women and girls to gain new skills, share experiences, and build lasting relationships that strengthen their communities.
“This investment reflects our commitment to supporting regional women with practical skills that strengthen both individuals and their communities,” Mr Teakle said.
First Aid training equips participants with invaluable skills to respond effectively in emergencies, recognise mental health issues and crisis situations, and provide appropriate interventions.
A foundational aspect of the workshops, Mr Teakle explained, is how they “build confidence and capability,” while also “creating resilience in our regions.”
“More education means more control and more resilience for women and their families."
Each participant receives a nationally recognised accredited certification upon completion of the training, credentials that can make a real difference in emergency situations and even enhance employment opportunities.
Building on the success of 2025, the Rural Women’s Network is offering First Aid and Mental Health training to women in eight new locations across regional and remote NSW in 2026, fully funded by the NSW Government.
These workshops build confidence and capability while creating resilience in our regions. More education means more control and more resilience for women and their families.
Dominic Teakle
CEO, St John NSW
“By expanding to eight new towns across NSW, we’re ensuring more rural women have access to critical First Aid and Mental Health training that could save lives,” Mr Teakle said.
The 2026 Phase 1 locations include:
- Scone
- Glen Innes
- Narrabri
- Gilgandra
- Wentworth
- Griffith
- Young
- Bourke4
Registration
This free training is available for women over 18 living in regional and rural NSW. We look forward to having you join us as we continue to support women in regional, rural and remote NSW.
Both First Aid and Mental Health trainings run from 9am to 5:00pm. You are welcome to register for one or both of these trainings. If you would like to attend both days of training, remember to select a ticket for both. Complimentary lunch and refreshments are provided.
Click here to register Rural Women's Network Skills Roadshow 2026 | NSW Government