As the year draws to a close, we take immense pride in looking back on the remarkable journey we've undertaken alongside our dedicated team, cherished customers, and diverse community. The last 12 months have been a testament to our commitment to providing exceptional patient care, fostering innovation, and extending our reach to serve more communities than ever before. 

While the year is not yet over and there will be more to report in early 2025, here is a summary of just some of our programs and services from 1 December 2023 to 30 November 2024. 

For years, we have been helping to build a resilient community through training and free programs, such as First Aid In Schools and CPR Lab. Many of our programs support   greater resilience in communities, particularly those with a high prevalence of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (Defib In Your Street), and for teenagers entering the social 'rite of passage' (Party Ready).  

Here is a summary of just some of what our incredible staff and volunteers have achieved in the last 12 months 

Defib in Your Street: Expanding into New Areas 

This year we have completed a Defib in Your Street Program project in St Albans and have successfully launched it in Sunshine. Another 49 defibrillators were installed across St Albans, Reservoir and Sunshine, and 5,623 more people have been trained in free CPR  through the program. This marked our third expansion as part of our commitment to enhancing cardiac arrest survival rates across Victoria, and to create a heart-safe state where every resident has the best chance of surviving sudden cardiac arrest. 

Defib In Your Street is now a highly awarded program, achieving 2 awards in 2023. In October, the program was recognised by Emergency Management Victoria with a highly commended award in the community category and taking out the Community Engagement category in Brimbank City Council’s 2023: We Are Brimbank Awards.

The Program aims to ensure rapid access to defibrillators in crucial moments of cardiac emergencies. These devices are strategically placed in accessible locations across selected suburbs, with the highest number of cardiac arrests, empowering our community to respond promptly and effectively in times of need.

Each defibrillator represents a sign of hope and safety, providing peace of mind to residents. Whether at a local park, community centre, or public space, these devices stand ready to support anyone experiencing a cardiac event.

First Aid in Schools: Little Lifesavers

We have taught 109,416 Primary School students in free First Aid in the last 12 months through our First Aid in Schools program, from Portland to Wahgunya to Bairnsdale, and everywhere in between.

The program received a satisfaction rating of 9.6 our 10 from teachers in 2024 – a testament to the quality of program delivery from our dedicated team of Community Education Officers.

“Excellent advice, very engaging, presenter clearly experienced with children. Thank you!” Niall, teacher at Kew Primary School

“The presentation was engaging and also very inclusive – everyone had the opportunity to ask questions and if they were a little off topic or incorrect answer, redirection was quick and positive.” Elise, teacher at Warranwood Primary School

Party Ready Program: Keeping Teens Safe

Our Party Ready program has also grown to train 2,915 secondary school students at 50 schools, teaching them safety at social gatherings.

This is a first aid program for young people centered around the context of keeping each other safe at parties and social gatherings. The program is taught to students from Year 9 to 12, providing them with the tools and knowledge from the basics of planning ahead and watching out for their friends, to CPR and applying a defibrillator, through to mental health assistance and substance overdose. The program provides confidence to the teens to de-escalate the immediate situation, such as violence, and help to direct their friends to an appropriate intervention for serious concerns.

“I liked the combination of the physical and mental health information taught during the program.” Student A. “I liked how there were a bit of physical hands-on things, like CPR, and working in the workbook with different scenarios. I also liked learning more about the mental health part too.” Student B.

Since its launch in 2023, the program has taught more than 3000 students to become better prepared to help their mates in a party scenario. We aim to deliver the Party Ready program to 10,000 in 2025 again.

CPR Lab: A Full Year of Events

Our CPR Lab has also made outstanding progress in the last 12 months, having trained over 9,882 people across 67 events, teaching the community crucial CPR awareness for free. In just 10 minutes, a member of the public can learn the basics of CPR and practice on manikins that provide live feedback.

In 2024, volunteer members of the Youth Team have been trained to attend CPR Lab in your community. You will see over 50 of our Youth Members out and about at events near you in their greens, so say hello to

Community Transport: Driving Care

Throughout the last 12 months, community transport services have reached new heights, travelling across Melbourne, ensuring timely, safe, and compassionate transport to vulnerable individuals. Our Community Transport crew made over 2,030 trips for a loyal 260 customers.

“St John have given me the opportunity for me to visit my gorgeous grandnieces and be with them when they come home from school. I really appreciate this wonderful service!” Lorna – Clayton

Non-Emergency Patient Transport: A Non-Stop Growth

As we reflect on another year of dedicated service, it’s essential to shine a light on one of the core aspects of our mission: Non-Emergency Patient Transport (NEPT). Over 65,000 NEPT transports were completed by St John in the last - a pivotal role in ensuring that patients receive the care and transportation they need to access vital medical services safely and comfortably.

In 2024, our NEPT team has achieved remarkable milestones, including 12,324 shifts for Ambulance Victoria, as well as a range of hospital and Non-Emergency shifts. Each shift represents not just a number, but a life touched, a patient cared for, and a journey safely completed.

A standout achievement this year has been the development of our people. We are incredibly proud that 39 staff members have successfully completed the internal development pathway to become Advanced Transport Ambulance (ATA) practitioners over the last 12 months. This program is designed to enhance skills and ensure the highest standards of care, reinforcing our commitment to professional growth and patient safety.

As we look to the future, we are more focused than ever on continuing to provide high-quality, compassionate care to those in need. Our NEPT team’s dedication and growth are vital in shaping the future of patient transport services in Victoria.

Volunteering: Selfless Contributions

Volunteers are the lifeblood of St John, and 2024 was no exception. Collectively, our volunteers, including 1,639 adult volunteers and 491 youth members, gave over 175,883 hours of their time to the community at 2,495 events, where they treated 9,453 of you as patients.

Each year, our volunteers are ready to respond to emergencies, making themselves available at a moment’s notice in times of fire and flood. In February and March, 37 St John members also braved the heat and smoke to assist with bushfire relief in Wendouree. Read more here about the bushfire deployment.

We are proud of the vital role we've played in supporting the community's health and wellbeing. Over the past 12 months, we have achieved significant milestones across our key areas of first aid and mental health training, kit servicing, and products. These efforts have not only equipped thousands with the skills to respond in emergencies but have also contributed to creating a safer and more resilient state.

First Aid and Mental Health Training

At the heart of St John Ambulance Victoria is our commitment to providing life-saving education. In the last 12 months, we trained an impressive 69,356 individuals through our accredited first aid courses.

In addition to traditional first aid, we have continued to prioritise mental health awareness and resilience. Our mental health training has reached hundreds of people within the Victorian community, helping individuals recognise and respond to mental health challenges in themselves and others. As mental health illness continues to be a significant issue across the globe and becomes an increasing focus in public and workplace safety, we are proud to be at the forefront of this critical area of training. To understand more about St John’s mental health course, read article here.

Kit Servicing

Equipping individuals and businesses with the right first aid resources is just one part of the puzzle. Ensuring these kits are regularly serviced and fully stocked is equally important. In the past 12 months, 53,721 first aid kits were serviced across Victoria, ensuring that they are always ready for action in any emergency. Our dedicated kits service teams worked tirelessly to ensure that both community and business leaders are equipped with reliable, up-to-date resources when they’re needed most.

Efficient Product Delivery

We’ve also seen a significant increase in demand for our products, with 21,000 orders despatched from our warehouse. Our efficient logistics team ensured timely delivery of first aid products, ensuring businesses, schools, and homes across the state are stocked with essential first aid supplies.

Response and Support

Our call centre continues to be a vital resource, responding to 40,883 calls. Whether it’s assisting with bookings, providing advice, answering queries, or offering guidance, our skilled call centre team has been there to support the community.

Looking Ahead

As we look toward 2025, we are excited to continue expanding our training programs and services. This reflects our commitment to ensuring every Victorian has the lifesaving skills needed during emergencies. As Gordon Botwright, our CEO, powerfully puts it, "We want to impact Victoria, for good. And so, our Vision is of a future where the Victorian community is thriving because of our work and service.”

Ou mission is to create a safer, healthier community and it remains at the core of everything we do, and we look forward to supporting more Victorians.

Gifted Defibrillators

As part of our commitment to saving more lives from sudden cardiac arrest, St John gifted 12 defibrillators to worthy organisations and individuals throughout the year. . For someone in cardiac arrest, being shocked by a defibrillator before an ambulance arrives can bring survival from as low as 5% to as high as 70%. That is why we are committed to advocating for mandatory defibrillators in public buildings.

At the heart of our not-for-profit mission is you. Whether you donate, do your training with us, purchase products, volunteer, or just stay engaged with us, your support is everything.

You enable us to deliver our free services and provide lifesaving materials to those in need. We are able to touch more lives and make a meaningful difference, and we couldn’t do it without you.

Let us continue to look ahead with pride and gratitude for all that we have achieved together in the past 12 months. We are excited for the future and the positive impact we will continue to make in the lives of the people we serve.

Thank you to all our supporters, volunteers, and staff for your dedication to helping save lives and making a difference in our community. Together, we continue to build a safer, healthier future for all.

To learn more about St John Ambulance Victoria’s Strategic Plan and goals, please visit the link.