St John Ambulance Hits the Road on a Lifesaving Mission Across Australia

St Joseph's Catholic College, Katherine, proudly became the first recipient of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) on 16th October 2024, as St John Ambulance kicked off its first-ever national Drive-a-thon.

This life-saving initiative by St John Ambulance is designed to make a real difference in communities across Australia. Over 60 days, volunteers will cover more than 16,000 km, visiting every state and territory to provide free CPR training to 5,000 people and install $50,000 worth of essential life-saving equipment.

Principal Sunniva Antonucci expressed how important this is for the school, given its deep-rooted connection with the local community. The AED will help ensure they are prepared for any potential medical emergencies.

“We recognize that we sometimes have students and staff with heart conditions, and you never know when we may need it. Learning CPR is not just an activity—it’s a life skill that they can carry for the rest of their lives, whether they need to help a family member, friend, or stranger in need.

“Our education session with St John Ambulance will hopefully build their confidence and inspire them to look into more formalized training in the future."