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The Whyalla St John Cadets division celebrated its 50th anniversary at this year’s end-of-year presentation.
Whyalla Mayor Lyn Breuer attended the presentation to mark the occasion, honour the award winners and celebrate the achievements of all the cadets in 2017. There were nearly 40 St John cadets complete their various stages of training this year.
There were 25 cadets in the 11 to 18-year category this year with 10 in the 8 to 11-year bracket.
“It never ceases to amaze me how many bright, motivated and community-minded young people we have here in Whyalla,” Mayor Breuer said.
“For young people like this to be thinking about helping the community in such a vital area of service is truly remarkable and commendable.
“Where would a lot of us be if it wasn’t for the St John services?
“Here we have young people putting their hands up to not only train in life-saving services and procedures but also out in the field already helping the community of Whyalla and all the events that happen here.
“You may not notice them when go a Whyalla event, and that might be the best compliment, but they are there in their own time and ready to help if anyone gets into health difficulties or has an accident.
“We know St Johns is a fantastic organisation and it is training up some very impressive young people here who are going to go on and become vital members of the workforce and the community.”
Whyalla Cadets Superintendent Cheryl Rae said it was a proud night for the cadets as several former members came up from Adelaide for the anniversary celebrations and awards night.
“The Mayor said she could only stay for half an hour but she ended up staying most of the night,” Cheryl said.
“There were a lot of proud people there on the night, it was a special occasion.”
For the cadets it was the culmination of a year of hard work and training. The cadets work through their first aid book during the year with the aim of earning a Certificate 3 in first aid. They also learn various aspects of the St Johns work including life-saving methods, accident response and event attendance.
Many former Whyalla cadets have gone on to successful careers both in the service field and other areas.
“We have had one cadet just recently graduate as a paramedic and we have many others who are training as nurses or are already nursing,” Cheryl said.
“This first aid training is not only a good foundation for those sort of careers, it is an achievement on your CV that is looked upon very favourably by many prospective employers.”
One of the other benefits of being a cadet is attending events as a St Johns representative. The cadets go to many Whyalla events to lend medical support including the uneARTh Festival, Australia Day and Christmas events.
Next year, this latest crop of cadets will be going down to perform official duties at the famous Clipsal 500 Supercars motor race in Adelaide.
“The cadets are all very excited about this,” Cheryl said.
“Not only do they get to go to the race and work in an official capacity, they also get to go in the pits and meet some of the drivers.”
The cadets are open to anyone from age 8 to 18. A regular year usually involves a two-hour meeting every Wednesday night with about 60 hours of event time involved in the training which is optional. Being a cadet is completely free with all uniforms and equipment provided.
Contact Cheryl on 0427 491 754 or by email whyallacadets@stjohnsa.com.au for more information.
PICTURES
Above: Dylan Van Der Tuuk is presented with the Most Outstanding Whyalla St John Junior by Whyalla Mayor Lyn Breuer
Left: Stacey Micheluzzi is awarded the Most Improved Cadet award by Commission of St John SA Noel Hender. Right: Ian Rae Snr, the State Staff Officer announces Daniel Everett, as the Mark Crompton Encouragement Award winner with Mrs Jean Smith who an former superintendent of the Whyalla Nursing Cadets
Left: St John State Cadet Officer Alex Coats presents Rebekah North with the Most Efficient Cadet award. Right: Commissioner of St John SA Noel Hender presents Whyalla Cadets Superintendent Cheryl Rae with the Whyalla Division's Jubilee Certificate for 50 years service to the community.
Cheryl Rae and Mrs Shirley Osborne, widow of Whyalla Ambulance Cadets first Superintendent Ron Hector, cut the celebratory cake.