ST JOHN NT
NEWSROOM

Bendigo Bank’s Northern Territory Community Bank Network has today announced a $45,000 three year partnership with St John Ambulance Australia (NT) Inc. (St John NT) to support the delivery of Community Education  programs, including St John NT’s First Aid in Schools as well as its Baby and Child First Aid lessons.

St John NT CEO Judith Barker said Bendigo Bank’s generous sponsorship would assist St John NT in their mission to make first aid part of every Territorians life.

“Our Community Education programs give children and adults the confidence to act in an emergency through practical advice and easy to follow step-by-step plans. These are vital skills - skills that could save a life,” she said.

“Community banking is based on a 'profit-with-purpose' model, which means our profits are returned directly to the community that has generated them. Knowing that we are helping to build resilience in our community and confidence to act in a time of need is an essential part of what we do,” said Bendigo Bank NT Regional Manager Anthony Heinrich.

As part of the sponsorship Bendigo Bank is installing Public Access Defibrillators and will host a free Child and Baby First Aid lesson at each of it Community Bank branches in Alice Springs, Katherine, Coolalinga and Nightcliff.

“St John NT provides a vital service in our community, we welcome the opportunity to work with them and help more members of our community, children and adults alike, learn valuable first aid skills,” he said.

St John NT provides first aid lessons free of charge to community groups, urban and remote schools across the Territory. In 2019/18, St John NT taught 10,515 school students and 8,895 community members vital life-saving skills to help in an emergency.

Earlier this year, as community forums moved online, St John NT introduced a virtual classroom for parents and carers by offering to teach essential skills to help keep children safe.

Bendigo Bank NT Regional Manager Anthony Heinrich said the St John NT sponsorship was integral to their community operating model.