On ANZAC Day, hundreds of our members across the state rose before dawn to honour the courage and sacrifice of the men and women who have served and continue to serve our country.  Attending more than 100 local ceremonies across the state, our volunteers upheld a proud and long-standing tradition of care and community service. 

The enduring connection between St John Ambulance and the ANZAC spirit can be traced all the way back to 1883, when we were first established in Australia.  During World War I, St John members served alongside Australian forces in the Army Medical Corps Field Ambulances, while others worked on the home front in partnership with the Australian Red Cross, administering Voluntary Aid Detachments (VADs) and supporting military hospitals. 

During World War II, St John experienced a surge in demand for first aid training in support of the war effort. In Western Australia alone, almost 42,000 First Aid certificates were issued between 1939 and 1945, the equivalent of one in every 12 residents, helping to build resilience in local communities during a very uncertain time. Across every conflict since, St John members have proudly served in Australia’s Defence Forces, securing St John’s identity as part of the nation’s Medical Reserve. 

Our purpose is to create a safer and healthier community where everyone is ready to respond to a healthcare crisis to this day.  From the Blue Mountains to the Far South Coast, St John NSW volunteers stood shoulder to shoulder with their communities at dawn services, ready to provide care and support wherever it was needed. 

Lest we forget.