When Jordan first joined St John Ambulance Victoria at just 15 years old, she never imagined the impact volunteering would have on her life, or the lives of others. Now, nearly a decade later, she has been recognised as one of the five First Aid Champion Award winners for 2025 and is a finalist in the Westfield

As Divisional Manager of the Monash Youth Division and an Advanced Responder, Jordan has dedicated countless hours to serving her community, while also studying in her final year to become a paramedic. Her journey with St John has not only shaped her career pathway but has also given her the confidence and skills to step up when it matters most.

That moment came earlier this year when Jordan was en-route to a music festival, on a volunteer shift, and came across a catastrophic head-on collision. Multiple vehicles, severe injuries, and chaos surrounded her, but she was the one in uniform, and the community looked to her for leadership.

“I definitely felt out of my depth,” Jordan recalls. “At St John events, I usually treat things like sprained ankles or heat exhaustion, not multi-vehicle crashes at highway speed. But I knew I had to step up and be calm. My training with St John and my paramedicine studies helped me make decisions under pressure.”

Jordan provided crucial first aid, reassured critically injured patients, and worked alongside emergency services until they were airlifted to hospital. Her quick thinking and composure that day have now been recognised with the First Aid Champion Award, showing the impact that trained volunteers can make.

But Jordan’s journey doesn’t stop there. She is also in the running for the Westfield Southland Local Hero Awards, where the community can vote to decide the winner. If successful, Jordan’s prize will go directly to St John Ambulance Victoria’s Community Program CPR Lab, helping teach lifesaving CPR skills to people of all ages.

“Knowing I was able to make a difference to those patients’ lives was really impactful,” she says. “Being recognised is nice, but what matters most is the chance to give back and show others the importance of learning first aid.”

Why Volunteer with St John?

Jordan’s story is just one example of how volunteering with St John can transform lives. For young people especially, it’s an opportunity to:

• Discover a passion for health and helping others.
• Build career pathways, with many volunteers going on to careers in healthcare, paramedicine, and emergency services.
• Gain confidence and leadership skills that last a lifetime.
• Make a difference in the community through meaningful, hands-on service.

As Jordan puts it: “St John has been such an important part of my journey. It gave me the foundation to grow, to find my passion, and to step up in the moments that matter most.”

How You Can Support

Vote for Jordan in the Westfield Southland Local Hero Awards and help bring vital funding to St John’s CPR Lab Program. Every vote helps spread lifesaving skills further into the community. You can vote here.

Learn more about volunteering with St John Ambulance Victoria and discover how you, like Jordan, can make a real difference.