On Tuesday 27 August St John Ambulance Queensland, Townsville will honour Averil Chadwick as she celebrates her 92nd birthday and 75 years of service with St John.
In 1949 at 17 years old Averil responded to a local newspaper ad for ladies interested in joining St John Ambulance Queensland (SJAQ). Along with 16 other young women Averil signed up to teach first aid and has continued her involvement SJAQ for most of her adult life.
“I started as a volunteer towards the end of the war teaching first aid to the men working on the railway,” said Averil reflecting on her time with SJAQ.
“When we first started out it was only women who were involved in delivering the first aid lectures. Most of us started out with first aid and went on to do our nursing training.”
After delivering first aid lectures for five years, often giving up her Saturday afternoons to do so Averil decided to venture overseas and lived abroad for several years. She returned to find that things had changed within the organisation most notably men were now permitted to deliver the first aid training.
Although the organisation itself had grown the Townsville division had dwindled, so Averil set to work building the cadet program and solidifying the St John presence in Townsville.
“At the time we were still using public spaces to run first aid courses and train the cadets but we really needed a permanent building,” said Averil.
“There was no St John centre north of Rockhampton. Other states had expanded but Queensland was being left behind so over time I worked to have a training centre built that would give us a permanent facility to deliver our training.”
Averil continued her work until the late 1990’s during which time the original building was expanded to cater to the growing need for first aid in Townsville. Since retiring she has stayed in touch and still drops by from time to time to visit.
“I like to check in and make sure it’s being maintained, which it is. It’s still a lovely building,” Said Averil.
“St John is a wonderful organisation with a long history that dates back to the crusades. The organisation is worldwide so wherever you go there is always a connection. Working with St John has been very rewarding and I gained a lot of helpful experience.”
Years after her retirement Averil received a surprise in the mail, a letter from England inviting her to be inducted as a member of the Most Venerable Order of St John.
“We are honoured to be able to celebrate Averil who is a Dame of Grace of the Order of St John for her contribution to our organisation and for her efforts in establishing St John in the Townsville region,” said Ben Lynch, Director of Mission.
“With World First Aid Day coming up Averil’s work is a timely reminder of the importance of learning life saving first aid skills at any age, anywhere.”
The celebration will be held from 2pm at the SJAQ Townsville training centre located at 36 Fleming Street, Aitkenvale.
Councillor Andrew Robinson will be in attendance along with senior members of the St John Ambulance Queensland organisation.
