With over seven years at St John, Kathy brings energy, compassion, and a wealth of experience to every training session she delivers. As a Training Team Leader and active volunteer First Responder, Kathy is passionate about empowering people with life-saving skills they can use anytime, anywhere. 

Kathy’s journey began in the education sector, managing first aid and nursing placements, and her dedication only deepened through personal experiences, like responding to her own children’s injuries. Today, she teaches first aid to both corporate and public groups, making learning approachable and practical for all. 

Kathy’s impact goes beyond the classroom. She’s had past trainees use their new skills in real emergencies, reinforcing the value of what she teaches. For Kathy, it’s all about confidence and connection: “I love seeing people gain confidence as they learn new skills.” 

When she’s not training or responding at events, Kathy enjoys crafting and gardening with the “St John family” she’s built through years of volunteering. 

With a background in heavy industry and a practical approach to learning, Howard brings real-world experience to every training session. 

He began as a St John volunteer and quickly identified where he could make the biggest impact, teaching. “I saw the need for trainers and thought, ‘I can do that.’” 

For Howard, training is personal. His family has a long history with St John, and one of his daughters is now a paramedic. “I’m proud to be part of something with such a noble history.” 

He finds great reward in empowering others: “If just one or two students I teach go on to save a life, that’s incredible.” 

Howard’s message to future trainers? 
“The best way to learn is to teach.” 

Katie has been a trainer with St John Ambulance for over 12 years and, as a keen beach volleyballer and mum to a fast-paced toddler, she is passionate about sharing her first aid knowledge.

Prior to becoming a trainer, Katie was a veterinary nurse and trainer of new nurses in the clinical field for many years. Now, she not only creates new and stimulating course content, but she develops and mentors other trainers in first aid, passing on her industry expertise.

Our students always remember Katie’s smile and passion when delivering the fundamental steps that will help them save a life.

Irene has been a Trainer with St John since 2019.

She is a Registered Nurse with a career spanning more than 23 years, and has had extensive experience with infection control.

Holding a Master of Education and a Bachelor of Education and Training plus a degree in Nursing, Doreen has over 20 years’ experience training units of competency from the health package, including first aid.

She can speak Cantonese and has a wealth of knowledge across various industries, giving her the ability to relate with many types of students.

After 15 years as a nurse, Sara was ready for a new challenge, one that still allowed her to use her health knowledge while doing something she loved: teaching. That’s when she found first aid training, and it turned out to be the perfect fit.

“I’ve always enjoyed helping people and sharing knowledge. First aid training brings both together, it’s practical, meaningful and makes a real difference.”

Sara has been a First Aid Trainer with St John now for over 4 years, and one of the most rewarding parts of her role is hearing from past students who’ve used their first aid skills in real emergencies.

“I’ve had students come back and say they saved a life. One person gave CPR to someone who wasn’t breathing – and they survived. That kind of feedback gives me goosebumps. It reminds me why this work matters.”

For Sara, being a First Aid Trainer at St John Ambulance is about more than teaching, it’s about giving back and making a difference.

Vinay brings lived experience, empathy, and a passion for helping others to his role as a Mental Health Training Advisor at St John Ambulance Victoria.

Originally trained in engineering and IT, Vinay's career took a meaningful turn after caring for a loved one introduced him to the mental health system. That experience, combined with his own personal journey, led him to pursue mental health education and advocacy.

Known for his calm presence and people-first approach, Vinay is passionate about early intervention and equipping people with the tools to look after their mental wellbeing. His focus is on prevention, helping individuals and teams recognise the signs of mental distress before it escalates.

At St John, Vinay supports our mental health training programs, guiding other trainers and shaping content that empowers people to respond with empathy and understanding. He believes first aid isn’t just physical, it’s emotional, too.

Vinay’s goal is simple: help create stronger, more compassionate communities.

Catherine brings over 15 years of experience as a qualified Mental Health Counsellor to her role as a Mental Health First Aid Trainer at St John. Since joining the organisation seven years ago, she has delivered MHFA training to individuals across a wide range of industries.

Catherine is a passionate advocate for mental health awareness in the workplace, recognising the significant impact it has on both individual wellbeing and organisational performance.

“With one in five Australians facing mental health challenges, it’s not a matter of if someone in your workplace will need support, but when. MHFA training helps people respond early, before a crisis escalates.”

Catherine’s sessions are known for being engaging, informative, and grounded in real-world scenarios. Her approach empowers participants with the tools they need to confidently support colleagues, friends, and family members experiencing mental health difficulties.

Alison has been with St John for over seven years, starting in Community Education and progressing into leadership through the First Aid in Schools program. In 2019, she stepped into the role of Training Team Leader, and today she leads the Commercial Training team with passion and purpose.

“Seven years ago, I wouldn’t have imagined myself in leadership,” Alison says. “But St John gave me the opportunities, mentoring and encouragement to discover strengths I didn’t know I had.”

Alison is driven by the belief that quality training saves lives, and that starts with great trainers. “We don’t just put you in a room and expect you to learn on the job. We coach, guide and support you every step of the way.”

Her proudest moments often come from former students, especially children, who share stories of using first aid in real life. “When an eight-year-old tells you they helped their parent because of what you taught them, it’s incredibly moving.”

Alison encourages anyone with a passion for education and community impact to consider training with St John.
“We don’t just teach skills; we empower people to save lives.”