Australia is graced with some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Unfortunately, the ocean is home to many creatures that may be harmful and others that can be deadly.

Dr. Brentnall was a dedicated medical practitioner and a pivotal figure in St John Ambulance Victoria, and it is with great sadness that we have to say goodbye to him.

Sudden cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death in Australia, impacting about 26,000 Australians every year, often outside of hospital settings.

Meet Monica Waterstone, a dedicated 37-year-old mother of two, who has embarked on a remarkable career journey that has taken her from managing nightclubs to becoming a Patient Transport Officer (PTO) with St John Ambulance Victoria.

Join us for a month of free training, giveaways, and more!

We are excited to share some wonderful news from our Mildura division!

The campaign gained momentum in late August with a special event in Melbourne, marking a first for St John Ambulance Victoria.

Each year, around 3000 people are bitten by snakes which is why every Australian should know how to provide snake bite First Aid.

On September 14, as the world marked World First Aid Day, a significant event took place at Eastland Shopping Centre.

St John Ambulance Victoria has joined forces with other St John entities across Australia to raise much needed funds to continue our lifesaving work.

R U OK? Day is a crucial time to reflect on the importance of mental health and how we can all contribute to a supportive community.

Giuliano's aspiration led him to St John Ambulance Victoria, being the first to complete the Certificate III Non-Emergency Patient Transport, as a result of a funding provided by Scanlon Foundation.

In a remarkable demonstration of bravery, Peter’s quick thinking and use of CPR skills have led to a life saved and a story of resilience.

Phil’s story shows just how important it is to know CPR. In emergencies, every second counts, and the difference between life and death can come down to immediate, effective action.

Last year, a family birthday party took a frightening turn that would test the spirit of everyone present.

In an extraordinary display of quick thinking and effective training, Stevie’s response during a life-threatening emergency demonstrates the critical importance of CPR skills.

Fainting can be a quite common occurrence, but nonetheless, it is concerning to see someone collapse in front of you with no warning.

In a time of crisis, knowing how to act quickly can make all the difference.

On June 5th, after lunch at Nonna’s house, Nicholas’ father George collapsed suddenly from a cardiac arrest while helping with clean-up.

Warragul resident Fletcher Van Kaathoven demonstrated extraordinary bravery by saving his father’s life during an epileptic seizure.

On Tuesday, August 20th, St John Ambulance Victoria has hosted the 2024 First Aid Champion Awards at the State Library in Melbourne.

Today, we celebrate Isaac Johns, a dedicated volunteer whose journey with St John Ambulance demonstrates the spirit of International Youth Day.

A whopping one-third of all Australia’s workforce are tradies, and worksites are no doubt a dangerous place to be employed.

We are thrilled to announce that our new strategic plan has been officially revealed. This is a pivotal step towards enhancing our impact across the community. Designed with a clear mission to lead Victoria in first aid and medical responses, our plan aims to save an additional 500 lives annually, train 300,000 Victorians each year, and serve 15 million community members.

We are delighted to share some more exciting news: St John Ambulance Victoria has started a partnership for purpose with Variety the Children’s Charity!

Thanks to the incredible support of our community, we have as of July successfully installed 28 life-saving defibrillators throughout Sunshine.

St John Ambulance Victoria is excited to unveil a new campaign designed to transform how we think about first aid, especially at home. Developed in collaboration with Melbourne-based creative agency, Town Square, our new initiative, "If It Happens at Home," invites you to explore a virtual home like no other.

Around 1.7 million Australians have diabetes, this includes all types of diagnosed diabetes (1.2 million known and registered) as well as silent, undiagnosed type 2 diabetes (approximately 500,000). Currently, 300 Australians develop diabetes every day. That is one person every 5 minutes.

Until it happens to us or someone we love, most of us don’t know the difference between a heart attack and a sudden cardiac arrest. Many assume that "heart attack" and "sudden cardiac arrest" are interchangeable terms.

About 30,000 Australians experience sudden cardiac arrest out of hospital each year, and between 5-10 per cent survive without immediate CPR and defibrillation, on average. But legislation has not kept pace with the statistics to keep the public safe.

As with any other sporting event, among the thrill of competition and the friendship of participants lies our concern for the safety and care of athletes and patrons. The Beechworth Gravelista, renowned for its challenging terrain and vibrant atmosphere, recently saw an incident that highlighted the importance of medical support teams, delivered on the day by St John Ambulance Victoria volunteers.

St John Ambulance Victoria recently hosted an engaging and informative Non-Patient Transport (NEPT) Courses and Careers Open Night, aimed at inspiring attendees to pursue NEPT training with St John and embark on a rewarding career in the industry.

With 62,000 children under 14 hospitalised each year (AIHW, 2022), ensuring parents are first aid trained and ready to respond is vital in saving lives and reducing long-term complications for the next generation. St John Ambulance Victoria believes all parents should be given the opportunity to learn first aid for babies and children.

In early February, the dream of attending a long-waited concert almost turned into a nightmare for 13-year-old Tilly Farrell, a Year 8 student eagerly anticipating the event since securing tickets in October 2022. Just before the concert began, Tilly experienced a sudden drop in blood pressure, causing concern to her mum who was also in attendance.

As we end the celebrations of National Volunteer Week, we are proud to highlight a volunteer who embodies both youthful enthusiasm and profound expertise. Meet Harriet Waymark, a model of compassion and skill, whose journey as a Volunteer First Responder has been nothing short of inspiring.

Among the pursuit of scientific knowledge and the hustle of daily life, there exists an inspiration of selflessness and compassion named Josephine Younan. Born in Sweden, raised with Iraqi heritage, and now a proud resident of Australia for a decade, Josephine embodies the blend of cultures and the spirit of global citizenship.

Meet Matthew Girdler, a dedicated volunteer at St John Ambulance whose journey demonstrates the transformative power of community engagement and professional growth. Two years ago, Matthew embarked on his volunteer journey with St John, at the Ballarat Division. He was drawn to St John by the attraction of expanding his first aid skills and gaining hands-on experience in emergency care.

The beginning of 2024 has brought a burst of activity to several of our divisions here at St John Ambulance Victoria.

Earlier this year, Victoria experienced an unexpected late surge of summer, with temperatures soaring close to 40 degrees in late February and early March. During this challenging period, our dedicated volunteers demonstrated exceptional commitment by stepping forward to provide vital first aid assistance at the relief centre in Wendouree.

On April 25th, as the dawn broke across Victoria, communities gathered to commemorate ANZAC Day, a day of remembrance and reflection. At the heart of these solemn ceremonies stood our dedicated volunteers, offering their support to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all who attended.

St John Ambulance Victoria is thrilled to extend its Defib in Your Street Program to the vibrant suburb of Sunshine. This marks 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. As we look to the future, our goals are bold, our vision clear.

In the busy day to day life at St John Ambulance, between hundreds of events to be covered, rosters to be fulfilled, volunteers to be recruited, patients to be transported, and courses to be delivered, there's a quiet force, who work behind the scenes, to make it all possible.  Vinay Nair is one of those who is part of this amazing team. As a mental health training advisor, Vinay uses the transformative power of personal experiences to reshape the contours of mental health training. 

For countless years, we have stood shoulder to shoulder with the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal & Kids’ Day Out, a cherished Melbourne tradition that warms hearts and brings families together. As Melbourne’s favourite Family Day, this event is more than just a fundraiser - it’s a day of joy, laughter, and hope for families, all while raising critical funds for the Royal Children’s Hospital to provide world-class care for children in need.

The small Portland and Warrnambool teams are seeking passionate individuals, like Daniel Willis, eager to join them and make a real difference. Daniel is a dedicated student of Medicine at Deakin University, who represents the organisation’s passion for community service.

In collaboration with Maroondah City Council and esteemed member Mr. Nick McGowan, we were pleased to install a life-saving defibrillator at the Heathmont Lakkari Guides Hall. Accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to any member of the community in an emergency, it’s the first of its kind in the Ringwood area.

Among the small team of 20 passionate volunteers at the Darebin Division is Chai Foreman-Sim, an incredible young member who has been a volunteer with St John since 2012, initially joining the Bayside Division as a youth member. Over the years, Chai has held various roles within the organisation, showcasing his versatility and dedication.

St John Ambulance, a trusted name in first aid and medical services, continues to shine as a beacon of compassion and expertise. According to a recent survey conducted by RepTrak, which measures the reputation of Australia’s largest charities, St John Ambulance stands tall as one of the most reputable charitable organisations in the country.

Last Friday, the 26th of January, Australia Day, marked a momentous occasion for St John Ambulance as we proudly watched some of our dedicated volunteers being honored for the invaluable services they selflessly provide to local communities. This day, synonymous with celebrating the spirit of the nation, turned into a platform to honor our heroes who make a significant difference through their commitment to saving lives.

As the year draws to a close, St John Ambulance Victoria takes immense pride in looking back on the remarkable journey we've undertaken alongside our dedicated team, cherished customers and diverse community. 2023 has been a testament to our unwavering commitment to providing exceptional patient care, fostering innovation, and extending our reach to serve more communities than ever before.

Have you ever wondered what's involved for an Event Health Service's team at a major sporting event? Check out how we do it.

CREATING SAFER COMMUNITIES RESTART A HEART DAY October 16th 2023

Gather your friends and family – here are some fun and rewarding things you can do with St John Ambulance Victoria throughout Shocktober 2023.

As we approach the warmer months, it's important to remember that heat-induced illnesses can happen to anyone. Here's what to do.

Until it happens to us or someone we love, most of us don’t know the difference between a heart attack and a sudden cardiac arrest - many assume that they are the same thing.

Don't let your encounter with snakes, spiders, bees, and wasps dampen your day of fun in the sun!

Despite being a newly recruited volunteer, Riley’s incredible display of courage and skill resulted in a life saved.

Removing barriers to first aid knowledge

A devoted brother and skilled first aider, Lachlan jumps to his big sister’s rescue whenever she experiences a tonic-clonic seizure. Each time, despite the traumatic scene, Lachlan remains calm as he administers first aid.

It was an ordinary Saturday at home for 9-year-old Ellora and her dad, Frank when the unexpected happened. Frank began to feel his face heat up and his tongue swelling. Within minutes, Frank was unconscious on the bathroom floor. Thankfully, Ellora came to the rescue.

Nearly everyone will experience an open wound at some point in their life. Most open wounds are minor and can be treated at home - read on to learn how.

Overdoses, either accidental or deliberate, can happen to anyone at any time. Seeing someone in the grips of an overdose can be a scary and confronting experience, not knowing what they’ve taken, why and how much can cause panic. Here's what you can do.

When the unexpected struck during a 200-metre race, Barry's instincts kicked in, and his heart-pounding race against time began. Hear from Barry, his student Lincoln, and mum Tash as they recount the events that unfolded on that fateful day.

Brad is no stranger to saving lives. His most recent effort involved a young person who was in cardiac arrest, just 100 meters from where Brad lives. Read about his incredible story to learn why Brad was named CPR Champion at the 2023 First Aid Champion Awards.

Partners Hoai Nguyen and Jean Russel Dany Mariette had recently attended an Accredited CPR Training as part of our Defib In Your Street free community program. Little did they know that they'd be using their skills so soon.

The statistics around tradie mental health are alarming, with studies showing Australian construction workers are 70% more likely to take their own lives than employees in other industries.

1 in 5 Australians (over the age of 45) experience chronic pain, and GPs have seen a 67% rise in patients with chronic pain since 2010. In conjunction with National Pain Week, here are some common types of pain and what you can do to relieve these aches.

Victorians are some of the least confident first aiders in the country, with less than half (44%) of Victorians feeling confident to provide first aid in an emergency. The state also ranked second-lowest in terms first aid training recency.

In Australia, allergies are very common. Currently around one in three people will develop allergies at some time during their life. It is estimated that up to 2% of adults, 1 in 10 babies and 6% of children have a food allergy and some of them will experience a life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).

Hypothermia is a condition that is triggered when the body’s warming abilities fail or are overwhelmed. As the days get colder, arm yourself with these useful tips to keep you and your loved ones warm and safe this winter.

Explore these actionable steps to prevent burnout and foster better mental health, as well as a more sustainable and fulfilling work experience.

On 24 June 2023, St John Ambulance Australia celebrates a remarkable milestone: 140 years of dedicated service to the nation. Let's take a look back at the journey thus far.

Here are some valuable First Aid tips to ensure the safety and well-being of children this winter school holidays.

Are you a parent or guardian of a teenager and stuck for activity ideas this school holidays? Spend time together while gaining skills that could save a life!

Despite the challenges of COVID-19 upon our operations, we successfully transported close to 70,000 people and recruited over 40 new staff in our Transport Services department.

Apart from offering First Aid training and Event Health Services, St John Ambulance Victoria is also a leading provider of First Aid products. Here's what was achieved in 2022.

Each year approximately 50,000 burns related hospital admissions occur in Australia – over 1,000 of these are children in Victoria, with children aged 0-4 years at greatest risk. When you think of burn and scald injuries, most likely the first thing that comes to mind is sunburn, however this is just one of the many types of injuries that occur.

In 2022, St John Vic achieved significant milestones in our training programs, with the most ever students trained in our history.

Our free community programs help increase the resilience of at-risk Victorian communities, including schoolchildren and residents in suburbs with some of the highest cardiac arrest rates in Victoria.

In 2022, nearly 900 volunteers served over 7 million people across Victoria, providing first aid support at events and festivals across the state over 2,700 event days. Read on to learn all about the impressive feats our volunteers achieved.a

Are you one of nine Australians who suffer from Asthma? Or do you have a close friend, family member or colleague who suffers from the common chronic condition? Chances are that if you don’t suffer from asthma you’re likely to know someone who does.

The annual flu season in Australia typically runs from June to September. This can be a challenging time for many people as the flu is highly contagious and can cause severe illness. Fortunately, there are several ways to help prevent the spread of the flu and protect yourself and your loved ones during this sniffly season.

Hikes through thick forestry, off-road camping, and offshore fishing trips are part of Australia’s beloved outdoor culture. But every outdoor adventure, no matter how often you’ve done it before, should always begin with the preparation for a remote First Aid emergency.

Autumn is a beautiful season, with its crisp air and colourful foliage. However, it also brings a unique set of challenges: slips, trips, and falls are one of the primary causes of injury in autumn in Australia. Here’s how you can keep yourself and your family safe as we enter the cooler months.

Epilepsy is a common condition in our community and can develop at any age regardless of gender or ethnic group. Research suggests that 1 in 25 Australians will be diagnosed with epilepsy at some point in their life.

St John Ambulance Victoria has a new addition to the family in Seniors Community Care – a provider of in-home care services to disabled, frail and aged persons

The First Aid Champion Awards is a yearly celebration of everyday Victorians who have made an impact on someone's life using First Aid. Here are the unsung heroes awarded for their inspiring acts in rendering assistance and saving lives.

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in sudden cardiac rates in Victoria, with 2022 numbers hitting the highest in history.

St John Ambulance Victoria has moved into its largest ever facility and new headquarters at 601 Blackburn Road, Notting Hill, merging 5 facilities into one central location.

Mental Health – it’s a term that’s quite often flung around in the media, in social settings and at the workplace, but what does it mean?

Do you play sport or live an active lifestyle? Does your job require you to perform labour-intensive and repetitive tasks? Do you work outside or in an accident prone environment? If you answered yes, then you’re at risk of suffering from or witnessing a fracture.

When it comes to first aid, head injuries are one of the most serious and challenging concerns to treat. Unless you see clearly visible bleeding or open wounds to the head, the brain may have sustained significant life threatening injuries.

Sandra spent 13 years as a Senior Detective with the Victorian Police. She also competed as a bodybuilder for over 25 years, representing Australia, with more than 22 First Place titles. Today, she is a Certificate III In Individual Support (Ageing, Home and Community) trainer at St John. This is her inspiring journey.

Thanks to your support, we were able to serve the Victorian community in more ways than ever before. Here's a look at 2022.

The silly season has officially arrived which means an abundance of workplace celebrations, family merriments and friendship festivities are upon us.

Owning a defib is always a good idea - but have you properly prepared your defib for effective use? In an emergency, the last thing you want is a defib that is inaccessible, or not functioning. Here's what you need to do as a defib owner.

Each year in Victoria, around 250 are killed, and a further 8,000 are seriously injured by road accidents. These numbers can be drastically reduced if more bystanders knew what to do at the site of a crash.

It’s kick-off time! Sporting teams across the state are kicking off their sporting season, which means players are hitting the ground harder, faster and with more intensity than ever in a bid to position themselves as a leading contender.

90 St John volunteers were deployed to 5 flood relief centres and the Emergency Command Centre, dedicating a total of 332 shifts.

In Australia, workplace fatalities reach their peak in November and December, with almost 25% of deaths occurring in these two months. We’ve put together these tips on injury prevention in the workplace.

Almost half of Australians feel they don’t have the skills to approach situations involving mental health. To help you, here are some pointers to practice when supporting someone experiencing a mental health crisis.

Gather your friends and family – here are some fun and rewarding things you can do with St John Ambulance Victoria throughout Shocktober 2022!

When we think of a major wound, we typically envision a catastrophic event such as a serious road collision, an explosion or a violent confrontation - but major wounds can occur anywhere from the workplace, to the home right, through to a family day out. Here's what to do.

A whopping one-third of all Australia’s workforce are tradies. That’s an impressive number, especially when you consider that many of them are running one of two million small businesses across the country. Sadly, they also represent 58% of workplace injuries and 190 serious claims each day, a figure much higher than it should be. Worksites are no doubt a dangerous place to be employed.

Are you looking to join a first aid course? Perhaps you’re hesitant because you don't know what to expect. Here’s how it went for a first-time "Provide First Aid" attendee.

Today we embarked on a new dimension of our caring journey by launching the CHC33015 Certificate III In Individual Support (Ageing, Home and Community). A course for caring, special people who wish to work in an aged care setting or in-home care.

We are now officially 2 months into the Defib in Your Street program in Reservoir and have been overwhelmed by the support from the community.

Retirement of Ms Virginia Bourke OStJ as Chair and Director of St John Ambulance Victoria and appointment of Mr Mark Engel MStJ as Chair of St John Ambulance Victoria

Sprains and strains can happen to people of all ages, in a range of different environments and under a variety of circumstances. Sometimes even when you do your best to avoid them, sprains and strains still occur.

For Victorians, summer means plenty of outdoor activities making the most of the sunshine, warm weather and still days. With a variety of landscapes and adventures to be had people spend their days hiking the hillside, cycling the bike-friendly terrain, sailing the seas and playing a range of summer sports.

There are few downfalls of an Australian summer, but the fierceness of our bushfires is certainly one of them. As a precautionary measure it’s important all Aussies know how to provide First Aid for smoke inhalation to fight the number of lives lost in the case of a tragic bush or house fire.

You may have seen our volunteers at events, our Non-Emergency Patient Transport vehicles on the roads, been to a first aid training class or have one of our kits at work or in your car. During many times in your life, St John will pop up when you least expect to help you out of a dangerous or even life-threatening situation.

Everyone agrees employees should go to work knowing they are in a safe and healthy environment, free from physical and psychological harm. No employee should ever go to work thinking they are unsafe, at serious risk of death or injury or unsupported.

For Shocktober, we’re doing something special to drive awareness of your nearest defibrillator locations and provide more defibrillators in the Victorian community – hopefully one near you!

On 29 September each year, Blue Ribbon Day provides the opportunity for the community to say thank you to those who protect and serve our community and ensure that those who have fallen are never forgotten.

The human eye is one of the most delicate and complex organs in the body. The location and sensitivity leave the eyes vulnerable to irritation and injury so it’s important that extreme caution is taken to avoid contact with any possible hazards.

We’re thrilled to launch our newest fundraising initiative, the St John Charity Lottery. The St John Charity Lottery aims to provide vital funds to continue our lifesaving service in the community. By purchasing a ticket, you will support Victorians through emergencies, disasters and sickness.

At a concert with her daughters, Naomi was suffering from a severe headache. She went to St John Ambulance to ask for help. Our team performed a thorough check-up and suspected Naomi actually had meningitis—which is deadly if it isn’t treated quickly.

Providing immediate and effective first aid in the workplace to people who have been injured or become ill, may reduce the severity of the injury or illness, and promote recovery. In some instances, it could mean the difference between life and death.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, St John organisations worldwide have continued to provide vital support to struggling communities. As a global organisation, we affect the lives of millions of people each and every day.

It's true, sudden cardiac arrest continues to be one of the leading causes of death in Australia, with more than 30,000 cases occurring across the nation each year. Sadly, the death rate still stands at over 90% - an incredibly high figure.

After 27 years working in Business Development (BD), in early 2020, Andrea Bridge felt the very real economic ramifications of COVID-19 and lost her job. We recently sat down with Andrea and asked a few questions about her experience doing St John’s TAE Course.

When it comes to saving a life during a cardiac arrest every minute counts. If a Defibrillator is available it is vital that it can be used reliably and quickly by the user. Research shows survival rates of up to 70% can be achieved if an AED is on hand.

Summer is an exciting and happy time for families; it involves more family fun days filled with sports, outdoor and social activities. One of the most loved summer pastimes for families is an afternoon spent at the pool, beach or river.

As we near the end of 2020 we reflect on the year that was and the unique, difficult challenges that we have all encountered.

For over 60+ years St John Ambulance Victoria has had the pleasure of providing first aid services at Festival Hall, providing medical assistance to hundreds of thousands of patrons during this time.

Ryman Healthcare construction worker Dennis has saved his toddler son’s life by utilising the skills he recently learnt completing a St John Ambulance First Aid Course.