Speeches
Tuesday, 12 August 2025
Reception for St John Ambulance Centenary of Youth
It is my great pleasure as Governor and Deputy Prior of the Order of St John, with Rod, to welcome the St John Ambulance SA youth community to Government House.
Today we celebrate a significant milestone – in the 140th year of St John Ambulance SA itself - the Centenary of the organisation’s youth program.
That’s 100 years of building leaders like you; 100 years of encouraging community spirit; 100 years of developing and nurturing first aid skills.
The importance of first aid skills cannot be overstated, and I’m happy to share with you that St John’s training has been keenly embraced by my family.
Our daughter Katherine, who is now 27, fell in love with first aid after doing a St John course, and was a cadet and then a first responder.
Like you, Katherine found helping the community in this way highly rewarding and through her participation made some lifelong friends. I am sure you have too.
And Rod and I completed a first aid refresher course just last year after a very long gap and find the skills very handy when we need them.
In a wider sense, it has been my pleasure to engage with St John Ambulance at various ceremonies, investitures, and major community events. And Rod and I always appreciate the service’s presence at Government House Open Days.
Your role in the community is important. When people see the uniform, it engenders respect and reassurance that help is at hand should it be needed.
As Rod and I travel around the State, we have been inspired by how much young people are involved in their communities, and through their contributions, are making those communities resilient, vibrant, and welcoming.
Because communities are about people. About people caring for others, about people selflessly giving back.
That sense of service, which you have all embraced, has long been a hallmark of our State and I thank you for being part of that.
Be proud of what you do because we are proud of you.
I am sure that through St John, you have gained confidence and a sense of purpose, which can be a springboard to the future.
Many of those who have been part of the Youth Program have been inspired to go onto other healthcare and leaderships roles and careers.
To that end, I thank the St John Ambulance SA board and staff for your vision and leadership.
This Centenary celebration is also an opportunity to recognise the intergenerational legacy of families and communities who have supported St John throughout this time.
In celebrating a legacy today, I hope we can leverage the milestone and inspire the next generation to lead with passion and purpose.
To the members and leaders, may you always uphold the St John values of teamwork, integrity, high quality, diversity, and respect.