Why Saying ‘Yes’ Opened Doors for This Young Leader
When Sam first signed up to volunteer with St John Ambulance Victoria, he was just a high school student looking to complete his Duke of Edinburgh award. Today, nearly seven years later, he is an acting Regional Manager for the Metro region, and he hasn’t looked back since.
“I started as a cadet in the Bayside Youth Division,” says Sam. “I had some first aid experience from surf lifesaving, and I thought volunteering with St John sounded interesting. Within two weeks, I was already deployed at Marvel Stadium, helping at football games. I instantly loved it.”
Sam quickly took on leadership roles within the Youth program, becoming a Youth Leader and making the most of every opportunity that came his way. With time, his experience and commitment opened new doors, from Youth volunteer to Regional Officer, and now to his current acting manager role.
Beyond St John, Sam is completing an Honours year in science, researching drought at the Bureau of Meteorology. But even in his professional life, the values he learned through volunteering continue to guide him.
“The biggest thing I’ve taken from St John is a sense of purpose,” he explains. “I’m driven by the chance to give back to communities, whether it’s through first aid, research, or my future work.”
For Sam, some of the most memorable moments come from multi-day events like music festivals. He’s attended some major events for several years now, working overnight shifts with his team.
“It’s like stepping into a whole new world. You're on night shift for hours, surrounded by amazing people, and together you’re helping festivalgoers through all sorts of situations, from minor cuts to critical medical incidents. The experience is intense but incredibly rewarding.”
Sam encourages anyone thinking about joining St John to jump in with both feet.
“Say yes to opportunities,” he says. “Try everything you can but also give yourself space to enjoy it. Volunteering can shape your future in ways you never expected, it certainly did for me.”
Interested in starting your own St John journey?
Whether you are looking to gain skills, meet new people, or make a difference, there is a place for you.
Visit Volunteer with St John - St John Ambulance Australia (VIC) INC - Saving Lives Through First Aid to learn more.
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