ST JOHN NT
NEWSROOM

Christine Turner first joined St John NT as a volunteer member in 1980 at the age of 17. Christine had recently applied for a job with St John NT but unfortunately the call came too late and she had already accepted another job the week before. Still wanting to be involved with the organisation Christine enquired about becoming a volunteer and signed herself up for the next available volunteer first aid course.

“I saw volunteering with St John NT as a great opportunity to get involved in my local community. Attending events and providing first aid care has been a fantastic way to meet so many different people. Helping people is something that I really enjoy and volunteering has given me a lot of opportunities to do that,”  Christine Turner.

37 years later Christine is still deeply involved in the organisation and has been recognised as a valuable  asset to the organisation. In October 2022 Christine was nominated for the Chief Minister’s Volunteer of the Year Award and was highly commended in her category. Christine was nominated in recognition for both her dedication to volunteering at events, and her years of knowledge and experience.

During her time with St John NT Christine has been a Divisional Officer, Territory Officer for cadet and regional training and Superintendent for the Humpty Doo Combined Division. She has undertaken training and professional development and has gained qualifications as a clinical level Advanced Responder.

“I have been able to access training and development opportunities that have allowed me to elevate these clinical skills and obtain qualifications as an advanced responder. Putting these skills into practice by attending events and my involvement with the divisions has given me the confidence to develop my skills as a leader,” - Christine Turner.

Christine has played an instrumental role in the training and development of many cadets as they have progressed throughout their volunteering careers. Always willing to share her skills and knowledge,  Christine often puts her hand up to assist in delivering training during divisional nights as well as any additional training that cadets ask for. Christine provides training in first aid and CPR as well as Cert II Emergency Medical Service First Response and Cert III Basic Healthcare.

Some of the highlights of Christine’s volunteer journey have included being part of the winning team in the Adult National Volunteer Competition back in the 80’s and being chosen as one of the contingents from Australia to go to the Commonwealth Games in Auckland in 1990 to provide first aid services to participants and members of the public.

A staple figure at most community events Christine is a crowd favourite and often requested by event organisers. Christine is always willing to support junior volunteer members by accompanying them to events and will often go from one event during the day to another at night on any given weekend.

There are many events that could not run as successfully as they do without the dedication and expertise that volunteers like Christine provide. Their lifelong dedication and commitment to helping others is just one aspect of what makes volunteers such a special part of St John NT.