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On other pages this week:

Situations Vacant

Member Information Night

Gwyn’s SA Weekend

Historical Society

Bits & Pieces

2012 Volunteer Awards

Coming events

Accommodation wanted

Vacancy Orders

Training Calendar 2012

Weekly Newsletter of St John Ambulance Australia (NT) Thursday 16 February 2012

Gwyn Balch 08 8922 6205

Volunteer Coordinator

gwyn.balch@stjohnnt.asn.au

Frank Dunstan 0429 886751

Newsletter editor

frank.dunstan@yahoo.com

feralfirie@bigpond.com

St John websites

St John Ambulance Australia (NT)

www.stjohnnt.org.au

St John Ambulance Australia

Members’ website

www.stjohn.org.au

Order of St John

www.orderofstjohn.org

Contact Gwyn to subscribe to this

newsletter

Please send contributions to

Frank or Gwyn

Closing time (with Frank)

8.00 pm CST Thursday

Beach Hibiscus Flowers all year round

We are always interested in hearing interesting stories and how our volunteers help

people every day. We recently received this story about one of our Superintendents.

Here I am on shift, thought I’d give my wife a call after work between jobs on Friday

night. She is at home alone but when I rang she didn’t answer the phone. I then got

busy and didn’t give it another thought.

When I spoke to her later she told me that while driving home to Palmerston after

work she noticed something out of the ordinary. There was an elderly gentleman

sitting by the side of the road so she pulled over and parked her car. She also

noticed that there was also a number of women close by but the gentleman

obviously wasn’t with that group. He was out of place so she walked over to assist

him and see if she could help him in some way.

At the same time another member of the public noticed my wife stopping to assist

and thought he should stop and see if he could assist as well. He was a well dressed

man named Andrew and drove a Government vehicle.

It turned out the man who needed assistance was an 85 years of age Chinese man

who got onto the wrong bus and ended up in Palmerston. As well as being lost he

spoke very little English. When asked if he needed help the elderly man held out a

card which had details of his family who lived in Leanyer. The family had been

worried and searching for their father and was relieved to hear that he was safe and

well. My wife and Andrew stayed with the man until the family arrived some 30

minutes later.

I am so proud of my wife Angie and this is what also helps me to understand what is

meant by being a volunteer.

Benny Butler

Great work Angie!

Vollie News Thursday 16th February 2012

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Situations Vacant – Peter Poole

Have you seen the male chauvinist fishing joke?

WANTED GOOD WOMAN – must be able to clean, cook, sew, dig worms and clean fish. Must have boat and motor.

PLEASE SEND PICTURE OF BOAT AND MOTOR.

Well, check out this Situations Vacant notice!

Wanted “New Partners”

Two older St John members seek the company of other St

John members. Applicants should have some St John

knowledge and qualifications and be able to listen to

stories about the good old days whilst gaining hands on

practical experience at Public Duties.

Please send images of First Aid kit and qualifications or put

name on the Public Duty roster.

These two members continually attend Public Duties

together and are concerned that other people may start /

continue talking about them!

During the busy part of the year when numerous Public

Duties are on each week end they do find separate duties

to go to every now and then; however during the wet

season it is different. Over the past two weekends with only one duty each weekend and with no one else

volunteering it was impossible to hide the fact that they were (working) together again.

Historical research has shown that trying to get St John members to do Public Duties is an eternal problem – ed.

Member Information Night

The first information night was held on Wednesday 16th February for prospective members and it was great to see

Shazza, George, Barbara and CK come along. There was strong interest in cadets, youth and Community Care and we

hope to see them all joining in the next few weeks. Thank you to Jamie, Mark, Steve van Gerwen and Mick McKay for

their work.

Jamie with prospective members

Vollie News Thursday 16th February 2012

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Gwyn’s South Australian Weekend

My husband, Steve and I had a fabulous weekend staying

in the Barossa Valley and apart from visiting several

wineries we also went to the Day on the Green concert

which featured Hall and Oates and Icehouse.

At the concert I took the opportunity to visit the St John

Volunteers to say hello. There were nine volunteers on duty and they had a terrific set up with a tent, first aid unit

portable treatment room and two other vehicles.

St. John Historical Society News

Membership renewal

In the past there have been some difficulties in some

states (not the NT) in relation to maintaining financial

records to the standard required by National Office

auditors. Because of this Peter Le Cornu, St. John

CEO, has agreed that his staff in the National Office

should take responsibility for managing Historical

Society membership subscriptions including receiving,

receipting and recording details on the data base. At

present Justine Black is the National officer

responsible for managing membership on behalf of

the Historical Society.

When renewing your membership you can send a

cheque with the ‘Renewal of membership’ form

directly to her or you can go to any Commonwealth

Bank and deposit the fee.

Commonwealth Bank BSB 062922 A/c no

10123348 St. John Ambulance Historical Society

If you pay at the bank you need to advise Justine

either by email at accounts@stjohn.org.au advising

your name and the date that you paid, or, if you don’t

have email you can send the application form to The

Membership Officer, Historical Society, St. John

Ambulance Aust., P.O. Box 3895, Manuka, ACT 2603

advising that you have paid at the bank.

For those who have already paid Justine advises that

the receipts should be in the mail before the end of

the month.

If you are a new member you will need to fill in an

application form in order to be entered on the data

base.

Dawn Bat

Membership Officer NT

Vollie News Thursday 16th February 2012

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Bits & Pieces

Quote of the week:

“Success consists of going from failure to failure

without loss of enthusiasm.”

― Winston S. Churchill

Carriage of medals on aircraft in hand luggage

I intend going to Sydney for Anzac Day this year to

have a bit of a reunion with some old Navy mates. Of

concern to me was taking my medals on the ‘plane in

hand luggage, not trusting the airline with the other

bag.

When the firies returned from one deployment to

Victoria five years ago we got to Darwin ok, but our

bags went to Perth.

I remember news reports of veterans being stopped

by security staff from carrying their medals on the

‘plane and didn’t wish to find out at the airport that I

couldn’t either. An internet search for information

came up a blank, so I emailed Transport Security with

the following reply:

The Australian Government is mindful of the issue

raised in your email. The Department of

Infrastructure and Transport has previously contacted

screening authorities and requested that they use a

common sense, risk-based approach and a large

degree of sensitivity when screening a veteran or

serving member wearing medals or carrying medals

in hand luggage.

While the Department does not have a document

requiring this action, I understand that this approach

is taken by screening authorities.

One would assume that this applies to other medals

as well, including those of the Order of St John and

the other emergency services.

What’s the security problem with medals, you ask?

It’s that great long sharp pin at the back; the more

medals the longer the pin.

Frank Dunstan

Rural ramblings

What a lovely wet season we’re having in the western

Top End. Last year was a record wet and this year it

seems to be payback with clear blue skies and the

occasional cloud.

It’s so dry at home that I’ve done all my slashing,

including the firebreaks and under the HV powerline

along my eastern boundary. If it doesn’t rain soon I’ll

have to put all the sprinklers out and start watering

again – unheard of in mid February.

There were some unusual visitors on Tuesday which

brightened my day.

Six Plumed Whistling ducks flew in and stayed an hour

or so before moving on. I was only able to take some

less than perfect shots of these beautiful birds,

obviously attracted by the large flock of Burdekin

ducks that spend all day at home under the trees.

They’re so uncommon around here that I had to do an

internet search for a positive identification of these

magnificent birds that are welcome to return any time.

Vollie News Thursday 16th February 2012

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Vollie News Thursday 16th February 2012

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Coming events for 2012

When What Where Web

February

Sun 19 Bombing of Darwin 70th

Anniversary

Darwin Cenotaph www.frontlineaustralia.com.au/events

April

Fri 20 – Sun 22 Australian Superbike

Championships

Hidden Valley www.asbk.com.au/

Wed 25 Anzac Day Various www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/anzac/

Thu 26 Mindil Markets opening Mindil Beach www.mindil.com.au/event

May

Fri 4 – Mon 7 Daly Waters Rodeo Daly Waters www.dalywaters.net.au/

Sat 5 Darwin May Day Rodeo Robbie Robbins Reserve www.prorodeo.asn.au/calendar.htm

Mon 7 Alice Springs Cup Alice Springs Turf Club www.alicespringsturfclub.org.au/96-.html

Fri 18 – Sun 20 Freds Pass Rural Show Freds Pass Reserve www.fredspass.org/

Thu 24

5 – 7 PM

Investiture &

Graduation Ceremony

Government House,

Darwin

www.stjohnnt.org.au/

Sat 26 BASSINTHEGRASS Darwin Amphitheatre www.bassinthegrass.com.au/

June

Fri 1 – Mon 3 Merrepen Arts Festival Daly River www.merrepenfestival.com.au/

Fri 8 – Mon 11 Barunga Cultural &

Sports Festival

Barunga www.barungafestival.com.au/

Sat 9 – Sun 10 Greek Glenti Bicentennial Park Darwin http://en.travelnt.com/search/product-

detail.aspx?product_id=9001455

Sat 9 – Sun 10 Adelaide River Show ARSS Showgrounds www.arss.org.au/adelaide-river-show

Sat 9 – Mon 11 Finke Desert Race Alice Springs http://finkedesertrace.com.au/

Thu 21 – Sun 24 Brunette Downs Races Brunette Downs Station http://en.travelnt.com/search/product-

detail.aspx?product_id=9000393

Fri 15 – Sun 17 V8 Supercars Hidden Valley http://darwin.v8supercars.com.au/

July

Sunday 1 Territory Day All centres

Fri 6 – Sat 7 Alice Springs Show Alice Springs http://www.alice-springs.com.au/

Fri 13 – Sat 14 Tennant & District Show Tennant Creek http://www.ntshows.org.au/2-

Calendar.html

Sat 14 Camel Cup Alice Springs http://www.camelcup.com.au/

Vollie News Thursday 16th February 2012

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Sun 15 Beercan Regatta Mindil Beach, Darwin http://www.beercanregatta.org.au/

Fri 20 – Sat 21 Katherine Show Katherine http://katherineshow.org.au/

Thu 26 – Sat 28 Royal Darwin Show Winnellie Showgrounds http://www.darwinshow.com.au/

TBA Lingalonga Festival Batchelor http://www.lingalonga.org/

August

Sat 4 – Mon 6 Harts Range Bush Sports

Weekend

Harts Range Racecourse http://www.hartsrangeraces.org.au/

Mon 6 Darwin Cup Fannie Bay Racecourse http://www.darwinturfclub.org.au/

Territory Day website:

http://www.dcm.nt.gov.au/strong_service_delivery/supporting_government/official_symbols_and_protocol/territory_day

Accommodation required for medical student

One of our volunteers, 18 year old Lauren Thomas, from

South Australia is arriving in Darwin next Wednesday 22nd

Feb and has been accepted to study medicine at CDU. She

has accommodation for the first week but is looking for a

room to rent for a short period until she can find

permanent accommodation.

Anybody who can help, please contact Gwyn:

gwyn.balch@stjohnnt.asn.au Phone: 8922 6205

South Australian First Aid vehicles

Don Burke (Burke’s Backyard)

with Simon Spillett

Favourite books …

In a recent email exchange the subject of

writing styles was mentioned which led to

favourite authors and so on.

If you were to be stranded on a desert island –

or any other form of isolation that takes your

imagination – and could only take three books

with you, which would they be?

My choice, without hesitation, is the two

volume set of the Complete Works of Henry

Lawson and The Territory, by Ernestine Hill.

All have been re-read many times.

Vollie News Thursday 16th February 2012

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Vacancy Orders

Operations Branch

Northern Territory Headquarters

Position Vacant

8th February, 2012 01/12

TERRITORY OFFICER TRAINING

GRADE II

To Applicants for Promotion:

Please submit:

1. A copy of OB2

2. Evidence of current years service 3. A copy of any Management Training Course Certificates 4. A letter to support application

Direct all applications to: Volunteer Coordinator

Attention of Commissioner

Operations Branch

Casuarina Ambulance Centre

Email: gwyn.balch@stjohnnt.asn.au

Closing date for applications: Friday 24th February, 2012

Please Note

1. The successful applicant must be a current member of Operations Branch 2. A duty statement is available from the Volunteer Office.

Scenes of Frank’s garden in years gone by: This bower developed over several years beneath a bougainvillea until a young

wallaby decided to move in, upsetting the Bower birds. The large monitor lizards and olive pythons have long gone, among

the first victims of the cane toad invasion.

Vollie News Thursday 16th February 2012

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St John Ambulance Australia (NT)

First Aid Services Training Calendar 2012

(By calendar)

Revised 30 Jan 2012

Date Course Location February 18 – 19

Certificate IV TAE (weekend 3)

Alice Springs

March 3 - 4 17-18 17

Certificate IV TAE (Weekend 1) Certificate IV TAE (Weekend 4) FRR Sign Off (2102)

Casuarina Alice Springs Casuarina

April 1 7 14 28 – 29

Advanced Responder Assessments (Darwin) First Responder Accreditation Trainer’s PD Workshop Advanced Responder (Theory)

Casuarina Palmerston Palmerston Casuarina

May 5 -6

Certificate IV TAE (Weekend 2)

Casuarina

June Nil

July Nil

August Nil

September 15

Trainer’s PD Workshop

Alice Springs

October 6 13 – 14 19 - 21

FRR Sign Off Certificate IV TAE (Weekend 3) Apply Advanced First Aid

Palmerston Casuarina Parap

November 2 – 4 10 – 11 November 24 – 25

Apply Advanced First Aid MDP 4 Certificate IV TAE (Weekend 4)

Alice Springs Casuarina Casuarina

December Nil

Vollie News Thursday 16th February 2012

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St John Ambulance Australia (NT)

First Aid Services Training Calendar 2012

(By course)

Revised 30 Jan 2012

Course Location Date Trainer/s Apply First Aid

Palmerston Alice Springs

As required As required

Chris Turner Chris Turner

Apply Advanced First Aid

Parap 19-21 October 2012 Christine Turner or Stephen van Gerwen

Alice Springs 2-4 November 2012 Christine Turner or Stephen van Gerwen

Nhulunbuy TBA Geoff Lohmeyer

Katherine TBA Geoff Lohmeyer

First Responder Accreditation

Palmerston 7 April 2012 Stephen van Gerwen Christine Turner Geoff Lohmeyer

FRR Sign Off

Casuarina Palmerston

17 March 2012 6 October 2012

Stephen van Gerwen Christine Turner Geoff Lohmeyer

Advanced Responder Accreditation (Theory weekend)

Casuarina 28/29 April 2012 Christine Turner Stephen van Gerwen

Advanced Responder Accreditation (Assessments)

Casuarina 1 April 2012 Stephen van Gerwen Christine Turner

Certificate IV in Training and Assessment

Alice Springs Katherine Casuarina

18/19 February 2012 (3) 17/18 March 2012 (4) Weekends TBA 3 & 4 March 5 & 6 May 13 & 14 October 24 & 25 November

Stephen van Gerwen Stephen van Gerwen Stephen van Gerwen

Management Development Program

Alice Springs Darwin

TBA if required 28/29 January 2012 10/11 November 2012

Kelly Raven Peter LeCornu

Trainer Professional Development Workshop

Darwin Alice Springs

14 April 2012 15 September

Stephen van Gerwen Stephen van Gerwen

Medications Course As Required As Required Designated Trainers

Child Protection Training As Required As Required Kelly Raven