St John’s Onslow crowned best State’s best, Tom Price’s Michael Napier receives top gong

The Pilbara’s hardworking St John volunteers have been recognised at an annual awards night with Onslow named the sub-centre of the year.

The Onslow St John sub-centre was announced as the 2022 Sub Centre of the Year at the annual St John Experience recognition ceremony on August 22.

The small volunteer-led sub centre in the Pilbara has worked hard to build a loyal team of volunteers team over three years and achieved many community commendations.

Every year the centre carries out about 150 jobs, with 26 volunteers dedicating their time and skill to the local community

It works with Karratha to provide transfer services and to share training so that minimum numbers are met for courses to be run in the North West.

St John acting chief executive officer Antony Smithson congratulated the Onslow team for the important lifesaving service they deliver to its community.

“We proudly recognise the state-of-the-art emergency medical assistance the Onslow sub-centre provides its vast community from Yannarie to Fortescue, and Wyloo in the east,” he said.

“It has built up a strong, supportive, and resilient community from newborn to the elderly, and provided relief when those residents are most in need.”

Meanwhile, Tom Price/Paraburdoo branch emergency medical technician Michael Napier was named St John Volunteer of the Year for country operations.

Mr Napier, also known as Tiny, has served in St John’s for 19 years and attends more than 100 of the branch’s 700-800 jobs and first aid events each year.

“Michael is highly regarded as a professional and caring EMT, and we thank him for all the selfless hours he commits to serving his community,” he said.

“He is a Member of the Order of St John and a wonderful ambassador for our organisation.”

St John WA head of country ambulance Justin Fonte said Mr Napier’s dedication for almost two decades was a testament to his community spirit and invaluable to ensuring safe and resilient communities across WA.

“People like Michael — or Tiny, as he is affectionately known — make a massive difference to their community,” he said.

“After this length of time on the job, you become more than just a volunteer. You become a teacher, a motivator and a true leader.”

The Onslow sub-centre was contacted for comment.