Merry Christmas from St John

The team from St John NSW, Norfolk Island Division would like to wish everyone a safe, happy Christmas and New Year.

This Christmas we have fourteen Community Responders on our roster. We operate 12 hour on-call shifts with two responders being available at any time. We are the Islands first responders in any event of medical or trauma emergency. We assist with Medevacs and patient transfers, are involved with community events and play a role within with Emergency Management Norfolk Island. This service has been operating quietly in our community for over 35 years, and relies on the commitment, good faith and purposefulness of volunteers.

Louise Donald is continuing with the community First Aid Training which Louise has been doing for the better part of 15 years, our next course will be January 2023. Courses can be booked online at stjohnnsw.com.au.

Looking back at this time last year, Covid was winding down, and still had not made it to the Island.

To quote from last years article at the same time.

“It would be irresponsible to say that Covid won’t come to Norfolk, but I am confident, that as a community we have the resources, both in assets and people to manage any eventuality.”

As with most crisis on Norfolk, when Covid did arrive, the challenge was met and overcome. While we cannot understate, and may yet to be understand fully, the financial and societal impact of Covid, clinically, there was no reported loss of life on Norfolk due to Covid.

It is Christmas, take the time to talk to your mum, ring your aunty or check in on an old friend, talk to a neighbour you wouldn’t usually.

Please do not hesitate to call triple zero (000) if you need help. The general rule of thumb is that if you think you need an ambulance, you more than likely do.

We are lucky as a community to have as many volunteer groups as we do, with caring, wonderful individuals able to help when the need arises.