Emu Plains volunteer Steven Green said it’s a pretty amazing feeling to be recognised for his effort and time after he clocked up 12 years of service with St John Ambulance NSW.
Mr Green along with Rhonda Alexander of Ropes Crossing and Vincent Oritz of Cranebrook were all recognised last weekend for their service with St John (NSW) when they were each awarded an esteemed Service Medal of the Order.
The annual awards ceremony was held at Sydney University and recognised the efforts of 62 volunteers, who together have provided 1,375 years of service and dedicated a minimum of 81,420 hours of duty.
The Service Medals are awarded to volunteers after 12 years of service and for every five years after that.
“It’s been a great experience volunteering for St John Ambulance and it’s something that’s given me a lot,” Mr Green said.
“I feel I’m giving back to the organisation that gave so much to me when I was young – I’m paying it forward so to speak.”
St John (NSW) promotes the saving of lives through first aid with the aim of having at least one person educated, equipped and prepared to provide first aid in every home, workplace and public gathering.
“We work with young people, right down to eight-year-old children, and help provide them with the knowledge they need,” Mr Green said.
“Being able to provide first aid to a family member or friend is something worth-while learning – some of these eight-year-old children have already saved lives.
“We provide basic first aid through to continued learning opportunities.”
The Cadet Division meets at St Marys South Public School on Friday nights during the school term from 7.00pm to 9.00pm.
Children can join in and learn first-aid, basic nursing skills, radio communications, leadership and management among other subjects.
For more information on this you can email [email protected] or call 0422 006 325.
“You can gain skills from scratch that will become vital at some point in your life,” Mr Green said.
