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Home The Pulse Newsletter The Pulse – September – October 2025

The Pulse – September – October 2025

Dear Team,

Spring has been full of energy and achievement across St John NSW including time to celebrate our people, our purpose, and the impact we make together.

In September, World First Aid Day was a timely reminder of the vital role we play and the care we provide in our community. It also saw the excitement of NatCamp 2025, where youth members from across Australia and New Zealand came together for a week of teamwork, leadership and adventure. On competitions day held at Fire & Rescue NSW Training Centre in Orchard Hills we were honoured to welcome Her Excellency the Hon Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia and Prior of St John Ambulance Australia. Proficiently hosted by Cadet Leader Pragati Nara from Blacktown Cadet Division, Her Excellency spent an enjoyable time with our youth members, observed simulated scenarios, reviewed the Cadet Honour Guard, and presented awards with the NSW Team winning the overall competitions day. In reflecting on her visit, Her Excellency encapsulated what St John NSW’s Youth program is all about:

“For more than a century, young Australians have worn the signature St John Ambulance uniform, gained life-saving skills, and served their communities. It is an extraordinary legacy.”

We were proud to see our members recognised at the 2025 Centre for Volunteering Awards, honouring those who go above and beyond in service. This season also saw the launch of The Premier Response, celebrating our proud history in print. The book is now printed and available for purchase. Finally, the start of our national St John Lottery 2025 will provide vital funds to support the crucial work we do across NSW.

From the high-paced energy of the iconic Repco Bathurst 1000 to the annual Granny Smith Festival, we continue to respond to the community and ensuring thousands of people could enjoy these major events safely. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone whowho stepped up and contributed their time, expertise and commitment.

Thank you to every volunteer and staff member who continues to bring our mission to life. Your dedication, compassion and teamwork keep St John NSW strong.

We are the Medical Reserve. Ready To Respond.

Dom

Centre for Volunteering Awards 2025

Outstanding contributions of our St John NSW volunteers, who have been honoured in the 2025 Centre for Volunteering Awards. These awards celebrate the dedication, care, and lifesaving impact our volunteers bring.

NatCamp 2025

National Youth Camp was filled with laughter, new friendships, and plenty of opportunities to learn and grow. This year, St John youth members from across Australia were joined by our friends from Hato Hone St John New Zealand.

The Premier Response has arrived!

St John NSW’s history book has landed in our Macquarie Park Headquarters! Dr Matthew Glozier and others personally packaged the first batch of orders. In its pages, discover the remarkable journey of St John NSW.

St John Lottery with prizes to win

We are invested in nationally building our brand and support from the community through the St John annual lottery. Please share about this with those who may like to learn about our impact and support through participating.

Get involved in the St John RAP

Everything you need to know about St John’s Reconciliation Action Plan is now available on the Members’ Intranet. Find your Country, access the St John artwork and see how you can get involved. Together, we strive toward reconciliation.

Meet the St John X3

Get to know our latest defib model, the St John X3 Semi-Automatic Defibrillator. This new product delivers advanced video and voice guidance, being compact and user friendly even for untrained responders.

Upcoming Major Events

1 November – JETS Season (McDonald Jones Stadium)
2 November – MS Gong Ride 2025
8 November – Nitro Circus (McDonald Jones Stadium)
15 November – Cadet Youth Formal
23 November – JETS Season (McDonald Jones Stadium)

Find more events to sign up for on DEMS! Go to DEMS

Pragati Nara

Pragati Nara is a volunteer Cadet Leader with St John Blacktown Cadet Division. She joined in 2022 as a 15 year old high school student, and is now in her first-year of studying physiotherapy at UNSW.

Currently a Level 1 Commander, she also assists with digital communications in her division. Her commitment and leadership have been recognised through the her local division’s Cadet of the Year and Best Cadet Leader awards, reflecting both her clinical competence and her ability to inspire others. Through volunteering, she has enjoyed the chance to refine her practical medical skills while also developing professionalism, teamwork, and an appreciation for patient care – experiences that align closely with her career aspirations. Passionate about helping others, she continues to balance her university studies with her service to the community, motivated by the positive impact she makes through St John NSW.

What is your favourite weekend activity?

Honestly, my favourite weekend activity has to be those laid-back days spent sleeping in and watching movies or TV shows. There’s just something unbeatable about kicking back, getting extra sleep, and then zoning out with a stack of good films or a whole season of a show—sometimes solo, sometimes with friends. It’s the perfect way to reset, forget about all the busy stuff from the week, and just enjoy good stories and good company (or some peaceful alone time if that’s the vibe). Plus, you don’t need any big plans—just some snacks, a comfy spot, and you’re set for a totally relaxing day.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

If I could live anywhere in the world, I’d still choose Sydney. There’s just something special about this city — the people are friendly, the vibe is great, and the mix of cultures makes it feel alive. Sure, the weather can be a bit unpredictable sometimes, but the incredible food scene totally makes up for it. Getting around is easy with the public transport, and the views never get old. Honestly, being able to see the Opera House and Harbour Bridge almost every day feels surreal. It’s the perfect mix of city life and natural beauty, and I can’t imagine wanting to be anywhere else.

Would you rather: have a keyboard covered in crumbs OR a mouse that’s always sticky?

Crumbs on your keyboard won’t noticeably affect your typing or work productivity—they’re easy to brush away or clean up quickly. In contrast, a sticky mouse can slow you down because it often makes the pointer less responsive and harder to control. Additionally, sticky residue is often difficult to remove, especially since the source of the stickiness isn’t always obvious, making cleaning much more challenging.

Snapshots

Four massive days at Repco Bathurst 1000.

Cabramatta Moon Festival - lion first aid anyone?

Harbourside, Fairfield, Bonnyrigg High and Sydney Uni Divisions came to the Crows Nest Fair.

Queanbeyan Combined and Moruya Division at Speedway.

EMT stage 3 Day - over 20 members ARs and RNs took on the training.

Berowra - GoForBroke!

Morning glow on the second largest festival in Sydney! Granny Smith Festival in Eastwood.

IMT doing exercise CHAOS: 'CHAOS by name, CHAOS by nature'.

Feathery friends...

And furry ones!