Governor honours awards

By Ed Merrison
YEARS of service aiding the community has seen a pair of local residents recognised by St John Ambulance.
Tracey Johns of Upwey and Daniel Sefton of Boronia were among 62 St John members rewarded for their outstanding community service at the Annual Inspection of Volunteers Parade on Saturday, 12 November.
Governor John Landy honoured volunteers at the special ceremony at Government House.
Ms Johns received a First Bar representing 17 years’ efficient service, while Mr Sefton received the Service Medal of the Order of St John for 12 years of efficient service.
The term ‘efficient service’ refers to 60 hours of service in a 12-month period, although Mr Sefton said he usually contributes a lot more of his time to the cause.
“I’ve done over 400 hours since last December, and usually do between 300 and 400 hours a year,” Mr Sefton said.
Mr Sefton started his work for St John in 1992 in the Rowville cadets, and is now a sergeant in the Knox Combined division which has about 25 adults and 30 cadets.
“I like to give something back to the community and I find the work good for meeting people and for friendships,” Mr Sefton said.
After 11 years with St John in Boronia, he looks forward to serving into the foreseeable future.
Ms Johns, on the other hand, has been in the organisation for 22 years in total, having begun her relationship with St John in South Australia.
“I’m really stoked with the award. It’s nice to get something for your service,” Ms Johns said.
Ms John said St John was a ‘great opener’ for young people, though the rewards were numerous and ongoing.
“St John is fantastic whether you’re a cadet or an officer, and there’s a great support system in place to help you.
“The difference with St John is you are learning lifesaving skills that could be put into practice at any moment. To be able to put into practice what you’ve learned is very satisfying,” she said.
Ms Johns said she had assisted at all sorts of events, from the AFL Grand Final to the Melbourne Cup and boozy summer music festivals, and counts among her greatest achievements the management of a three-day BMX event.
Ms Johns originally wanted to train as a nurse, and got into St John to give her a foundation.
“I caught the St John bug and wanted to teach people what I’d been taught,” she said.
It seems Ms Johns, like Mr Sefton, has never shaken the bug.
Like her Boronia counterpart, she is already eyeing up her next milestone of community care in five years’ time.