While Christmas Eve 1974 will always be remembered for the tragic impact of Cyclone Tracy on Darwin, it also presented the defining moment that St John transformed from a volunteer service to the full ambulance service provider in Darwin. On Christmas 1974, St John Ambulance Northern Territory took control of all ambulance services in Darwin, including ambulances belonging to the Department of Health.
Over the following years this agreement between St John and the Department of Health (NT Division) would increase to include other major population centres as the Northern Territory moved towards self-government in 1978 and St John NT became the Territory’s on road emergency ambulance service.
The men and women representing St John during this time will be remembered through a permanent fixture marking the 50th Anniversary of Cyclone Tracy at the site of the Parap Station, which served as their headquarters at the time.
Read and listen to their stories here