The St John Ambulance Australian Youth is an organisation of St John Ambulance Australia that aims to teach and develop young people first aid and other skills with a spirit of community service. The movement has more than 3,500 youth members, aged between 12 and 18 across Australia.

Youth divisions operate in every state and territory in Australia, with the exception of Queensland and Western Australia. St John Ambulance Western Australia announced in March 2013 that the current cadet program would be abolished in that state, including the disbandment of all cadet divisions, to make way for a cadetship program for persons aged between 16 and 18 years old. And in 2017 St John Ambulance Queensland announced that their cadet program would be closed down and a first aid in schools program would replace it.

History Origins Following the formation of St John Ambulance cadets in the United Kingdom in 1922, St John in Australia soon had one of the first overseas cadet divisions. This was the Glebe Ambulance Cadet Division which was registered on 19 December 1925.Ian Howie-Wills. A Very Short History of the Order of St John (Emphasising its Australian History). 2004, p. 39. There was a lull in the registration of cadet divisions for approximately five years afterwards, with the next cadet divisions not being founded until 1930, with the registration of the North Sydney Nursing Cadet Division as well as the first in Victoria, Richmond Ambulance Cadet Division.

At the time, cadet divisions were separated into 'ambulance cadet divisions' and 'nursing cadet divisions', with only males being permitted in the former and females in the latter.

+First ambulance cadet divisions in each Australian state and territoryState/territoryNew South WalesVictoriaWestern AustraliaSouth AustraliaTasmaniaQueenslandAustralian Capital TerritoryNorthern TerritoryAmbulance Cadet DivisionGlebe Ambulance Cadet Division.Richmond Ambulance Cadet Division.Fremantle Ambulance Cadet Division.Prospect Ambulance Cadet Division.Hobart No. 1 Ambulance Cadet Division.Milton Ambulance Cadet Division.Canberra-Reid Ambulance Cadet Division.Darwin Cadet Division.Year established1925193019361936193619531960early 1960s

+First nursing cadet divisions in each Australian state and territoryState/territoryNew South WalesVictoriaWestern AustraliaSouth AustraliaTasmaniaQueenslandAustralian Capital TerritoryNorthern TerritoryNursing Cadet DivisionNorth Sydney Nursing Cadet Division.Williamstown Nursing Cadet Division.Perth Metropolitan Nursing Cadet Division.Adelaide No.1 Nursing Cadet Division.Hobart No. 1 Nursing Cadet Division.Milton Nursing Cadet Division.Canberra-Lyneham Nursing Cadet Division.Darwin Cadet Division.Year established1930193319441937193619531960early 1960s

Cadet movement development in Australia Cadet divisions, when established, were intended to be recruiting grounds for the adult divisions up until the early 1950s. This changed and the cadet movement organised itself to become a national youth organisation of itself.

In 1978, the Cadet Handbook was published for the first time by Australian Headquarters staff in Canberra.Ian Howie-Wills. A Very Short History of the Order of St John (Emphasising its Australian History). 2004, p. 40. The handbook explains the rules and regulations under which cadets and the cadet organisation must operate, as well as providing important information to cadets and parents alike.

The 1970s also yielded another important development – a Chief Officer for Cadets was appointed to the national staff. They became responsible for the nationwide overall direction of cadets, as well as liaising with their state/territory counterparts. Since then, eight people have held the position to date.Ian Howie-Wills. A Very Short History of the Order of St John (Emphasising its Australian History). 2004, p. 41.

Membership numbers were in decline during this period. After reaching their high point at 7,584 cadets in 321 divisions during the late 1960s, membership declined steadily until 1990 when there were a mere 4,128 cadets in 206 divisions. Since then, cadet membership has remained more or less at around 4,000.

1990–present The 1990s were an important decade for the cadet movement, in that a change of emphasis resulted from a review into the movement by the national staff in Canberra. It was decided that rather than treating the cadet organisation as merely a recruiting area for adult divisions, that it should be turned more into a true youth movement.

With this in mind, the Australian Youth Council was founded in 1997, composed of two representatives aged between 15 and 25 from each state/territory.Ian Howie-Wills. A Very Short History of the Order of St John (Emphasising its Australian History). 2004, p. 42.

Cadet numbers have been in decline for some years, largely due to a lack of promotion and resources from state offices. St. John Ambulance in Western Australia even announced in March 2013 that the entire cadet movement would be abolished in that state, involving the dissolution of all cadet divisions and its replacement by an in-school program. A campaign opposing the changes has been organised, involving St. John members from across Australia. In 2017 it was announced that the cadet program in Queensland would dismantled by the end of the year. Cadets between 16–18 years old were given the option to join St John Event Health Services as volunteers. It was stated that they would be moving towards a first aid in schools program.

Structure National Headquarters, St John Ambulance Australia Australian Youth Advisory Network (AYAN) Chief Officer (Youth) State/territory headquarters State/territory youth council State/territory youth officer State/territory youth officers Area Youth Co-ordinators Divisional Youth staff Youth officers Youth leaders Youth NCOs

State/territory youth councils only act in an advisory role with regards to youth policy and operations and do not have their own decision-making powers.

State/territory youth officers may appoint further officers to assist them in their duties, such as youth training.

Previously, the role of youth liaison officer in some states was in concert with the role of the regional youth officer, such as in Victoria where regional youth officers no longer exist. However, in some state/territories, regional youth officers still fulfil these roles.

Youth divisions are headed by a divisional officer, who is in turn assisted by youth leaders and youth NCOs. The divisional officer may also have adult members assisting them, as well as other divisional officers or adult NCOs. This often depends on the side of the division. Youth divisions may also be 'combined' with an adult division, meaning that they share resources and are essentially the same division, with the same divisional superintendent, same meeting place and same equipment. School divisions also exist across Australia, such as Bonnyrigg High School Division in Western Sydney, and Carey Grammar Division in Victoria.

Ranks

Youth members +Ranks and Insignia of St John Ambulance Australia YouthRankYouthYouth Squad LeaderYouth Senior LeaderSenior YouthSenior Youth Squad LeaderSenior Youth Senior LeaderYouth LeaderInsigniaNotesMembers aged between 12 and 14 years of age and in possession of a Youth First Aid CertificateAs for youth, but with leadership responsibilities.As for youth, but with more leadership responsibilities than Youth Squad LeadersMembers aged between 15 and 18 and completed Provide First Aid.As for Senior Youth, but with leadership responsibilities. Commonly referred to as a cadet corporal. Specific youth leadership training must be completed before achieving this roleAs for Senior Youth, but with more leadership responsibilities than Senior Youth Squad Leaders. Often referred to as a cadet sergeant. Specific youth leadership training is required before being promoted to this roleAn adult member between 18 and 25 that has undertaken a specific leadership course and is ranked above youth but below all adult ranks.

Youth officers +Ranks and Insignia of St John Ambulance (Youth officers up to State level)RankOfficer Grade 6Officer Grade 5Officer Grade 4Officer Grade 3Officer Grade 2Officer Grade 1InsigniaNotesYouth Divisional Officer.Youth Divisional Officer.Youth Divisional Superintendent, regional youth officer, youth liaison officer.Regional youth officer, youth liaison officer.State/Territory youth officer.State/Territory Chief Officer (Youth). Youth 11 to 18 years of age. Senior Youth (Blue) from 15 years of age.

Australian Youth Advisory Network AYAN is the primary body within St John for communicating and consulting with and representing the views of young members (aged 12 to 26 years).

AYAN aims to:

•      communicate with young members in the places they hang out (e.g. on social media)

•      consult with young people nationally and understand their point of view

•      represent young peoples’ views to decision-makers in St John nationally

•      help St John to achieve its goal of making first aid a part of everybody's life.

How does AYAN connect with young people? AYAN use technology to regularly connect and engage with young people, advocating to and acting as a conduit to assist decision-makers to realise the goals of the organisation. You will find AYAN on Facebook and Instagram, and they have their own website—AYAN Website

Why AYAN? AYAN believe that young people have a great deal to offer St John. AYAN want to share Young Members ideas, innovations and feedback with St John decision-makers, to promote a first aid culture in Australia and to contribute to a vibrant and sustainable St John.

Who is AYAN for? AYAN is for all young members and their leaders. Whether you are an Adult Member, paramedic or other paid staff member, or involved in the Youth movement—AYAN want to hear from you.

Training The teaching of first aid to cadets and juniors is of primary importance to the movement. This training mainly takes place during weekly divisional meetings, but can also extend to statewide or nationwide events, such as the National Cadet Camp. Cadets learn a wide variety of first aid skills, including CPR, asthma treatment and bandaging.

Proficiency badges There are currently 37 proficiency badges available to youth in Australia. These include awards in respect of:

ANZAC heritage Boating Campcraft Canoeing Carers Caring for animals Casualty simulation Childcare Citizenship Communications Health and nutrition Cultural diversity Cycling Driver education Emergency management Employment preparation Environmental studies Eye health Family care Fire safety Handicrafts Health and wellbeing Home maintenance Hygienic food handling Indigenous studies International friendship Knowledge of the Venerable Order of St John Library skills Living skills Map reading Music Office skills Personal safety Public relations Road safety Sports Swimming and lifesaving

Uniform Youth members, as with adults, are usually required to regularly attend meetings and participate in divisional activities for at least a few months before receiving their uniform. This new initiative was instituted due to many new members being issued uniforms and then leaving soon afterwards, taking the uniforms with them and never returning them.

The youth uniform is similar to the Duty Order 1 adult uniform: White short-sleeved shirt with epaulette holders, pen holders and St. John flashes; Black long pants (or below-knee-height skirts for females); Black baseball cap with the St. John logo; Black clip-on tie; Black jumper with shoulder flashes, epaulettes, elbow patches and pen holders; Name plates; Black socks; and Black shoes.St. John Ambulance Australia, Operations Branch uniform guidelines, p. 6–16 August 2010