REPORT OF THE ALMONER

96

REPORT OF THE CHAPTER-GE ERAL PRIORIES AND COMMAND ERIES 97

of chairmanship, In November, to which he applied himself without 1962 Mr. S. W. Winders, M.B.E., a per onal thought O.St.J. one of n finest ambulance workers in Queensland.

They left their mark on the ssociation and their pa ing has created big gap in the ranks, which will be difficult to fill. Classes:

Classes were held throughout the State. A slight downward trend wa noted, but this is partly due to the fact that some result from the Teacher) Training College are still outstanding; but in view of the unstable con ditions under which the Association has been operating during the pal year, it is surprising that the overall fall was not greater. Step have nOI been taken, which it is hoped produce a record year in 1963. St. John Cup:

The St. John Ambulance Cup awarded to the winner of the Stal Individual Championship Competitions, conducted by the Queen Ian Railway Ambulance Corps, was won for the third year in uccession b Mr. W. A. Carvolth of Townsville.

In other parts of the Island several Divisions assisted in travelling (, country towns and members of the Launceston Sub-Centre are thanket for the interest they showed in travelling weekly to conduct a class a Poatina.

The work of the Association in Hobart has been greatly hampered b the lack of suitable accommodation. The weekly trek to the Belveder' (which has been the venue for the year's public First Aid classe ) wil splints and bandages, chart , blackboard, easle and lecturn, the prepara tion of the hall for the classes, the replacing of form and returning c stores to Headquarters, made much extra work for our willing memberi

The securing of adequate premises early in the New Year i os entia if the Association is to meet its obligations.

In October a special "Package Course" was held for members of sever, Government Departments. The course which lasted over a period of fil days with four evening sessions, embraced a standard First Aid course special instruction on elementary Home Nursing and an introductor course on Industrial First Aid. In all, 21 candidates attended and a qualified. Demonstrations:

The Association received many calls for demonstrations of "Mouth-toMouth" method of resuscitation and First Aid and throughout Tasmam, many demonstrations were held.

Sections of the community instructed include the Rural Fire Brigadi (Bothwell), Fire Brigade sections (Devonport and Burnie), Pre-Schooll Mothers' Clubs, branches of C.W.A., Church groups and youth organisa· tions in Hobart. In addition members actively as isted with demonstrations during the Apex Road Safety Week at Devonport and the Juniol Chamber Home Safety Week at Hobart. Teaching Aids:

In these modern times it is imperative that the teaching of the Association be brought into line with teaching in general by the use of moderr equipment including projectors, slides, tape recorders, etc. To do this thl Association needs greater financial assistance, or alternately must conside: Taising its class fees which are already regarded as sufficiently high.

WESTER AUSTRALIA

In Western Australia duril:g the year in the nUJ?b.ers of class",s and of certificate lssued were achIeved. Smce !he ASSOCiatIOn commenced teaching in 1891, the total number ?f passes IS comprising 93 721 First Aid and 22,279 Home Nurs1l1g and 40 m. HygIene.

The Ambulance Servlce in Perth attended 11,948 calls dUrIng the year and transported 13,091 cases, 1,275 of which trafi?c The total mileage covered by the fleet was mIles, .whIch constlt,uted an lncrease of 5,000 miles a compared wIth the prevlOu? year. Although accurate figures are not available the Ambulance SerVIce operated Sub-Centres, attended 12,000 calls and in so doing traveJled 400,000

Further development of the service throughout the State was achieved by the establishment of new Sub-Centres Northam1?ton, Dongara a?d Dumbleyung. The s rvice at and BrIdgetown were 111creased by the addition of one \ ehIcle at each of these Sub-Centres.

The buildings at Serpentine, orthcliffe and ornalup have been completed and plan are bing prepared for Kononup, Dumbleyung and Northampton.

At the last Annual General Meeting Brigadier J. H. Stubbe, F.R.C.S. (Glasg.). O.St.J., was President for a further term, as were the Vice-President Mr. T. Tettenngton Mr. A. B. Krug, K.St.J.; although , C.St.1.; ince the Honorary General Secretary meeting Mr. !. , resigned and Mr. 1. M. Lavan, S.B.St.J., was elected as VIce-PresIdent III his place. .' .

The medical and nursing profes ions once aga1l1 were very active m the lecturing and examining of cla e and Brigade members gave freely of their time on instruction work.

The sincere thanks of the As ociation are extended to members of the medical and nursing profession and to the Committees of Sub-Centres, voluntary drivers of Sub-Centre ambulances and to the St. John Ambulance Brigade.

TASMA IA

In Tasmania durinO' 1962 efforts were concentrated on holding classes in areas not To do this the assistance of Brigade personnel was enlisted and now that the year has ended those who have travelled can look back with some feeling of satisfaction for, altogether 7,500 miles were travelled by members throughout Tasmania during 1962 in furthering the work of the Association.. . .

It should be noted that in previous years Bngade re-exammatlOlls had been regarded as eligible exams for Association awards but as these are now no longer recognised as from the 1st January, 1962, there was a considerable increase in the number of senior First Aid awards to members of the Brigade through Association classes.

The work carried out by the Association in teaching First Aid .and kindred subjects has only been possible through the great assistance gIVen by Brigade members in their own time.

The Association wishes part1cularly to thank members of the Hobart No. 1 Nursing Division and the Headquarters section of the Transport Division who travelled to country classes almost every week throughout the year, and the Glamorgan Division, whose members travelled 1,204 miles in the middle of winter from Swansea to Campbell Town, as a

98

REPORT OF THE CHAPTER-GENERAL

result of which the Brigade now has a new Division at Campbell Town. Later in the year members of the Glamorgan Combined Division also travelled weekly to Triabunna.

In conclusion it is desired as Director of Ambulance to e press incere thanks and appreciation to all those persons both honorary and permanent staffs, who to the efficient functioning of the various Associations and also at Pnory level.

Particular thanks are expressed also to Colonel Christie and hi Staff in Melbourne who carried out the detailed work connected with the functioning of this Priory post.

E. A. DALEY, Director of Ambulance.

MEMBERS QUALIFYING FOR CER TlFICATES For the Year Ended 31st December, 1962.

Junior Junior Junior Junior Senior Senior Senior Total First Home Hy- Child First Home Hy- VOLlch- Medal-Labels Pen- Certs.

Aid Nurs- giene We/- Aid urs- giene ers lions dants Issued ing fare ing

2,015 253

EW SOUTH WALES 5,759 513 33 646 942 35 59 11,055

VICTORIA 1,596 260 67 5,658 793 Included in the above are:- 375 373 138 21 In addition-gained at Brigade annual re-exam.: 103 304 17 8,374

421 109 Further courses: 748

SOUTH AUSTRALIA 1,542 201 349 172 295 20 3,542

QUEE SLA D 660 139 2,676 494 53 213 263 189 49 4,736

322 23

TASMANIA 659 42 44 12 31 4 1,137

1,055

WEST AUSTRALIA 2,075 236 239 916 219 4,740

REPORT OF THE CIDEF COMMISSIONER

With the passing of Sir William Johnston our late Chief Commissioner, not only the Priory in Australia, but also the many other activities which he honoured and graced by his selfless service have suffered a grievous loss. His Knighthoods, his military decorations and his St. John Service Medal with four Bars are witness to his dedicated life. Under his wise direction, the Brigade in Australia has advanced and flourished as never before. We miss him greatly.

A survey of the reports on Brigade activities within the five Districts and the Commandery of Western Australia reveals an increase in personnel of more than 1,300, evidence of continued zeal on the part of all those administering the Brigade. Much of their enthusiasm was no doubt inspired by the example of our late Chief Commissioner.

PRIORIES A D COMMAND ERIES 99

QUEENSLAND

The Sir James Sleeman Inter-State Competition for Nursing Divisions, held in conjunction with the Priory meeting in Melbourne, was won by the Rockhampton Division team representing Queensland, and we congratulate Mrs. McDonald and the her team. <?n success.

The interest taken by Queen land DIvISIOns III competItIOns IS apparent by the great distances team are prepared to travel to compete within the State, such as from Townsville to Maryborough, a round trip of over 1 300 miles. , We note with pleasure the formation of some Adult Ambulance Divisions and trust that the difficulties which have delayed this aspect of the work of the Brigade have largely been overcome.

The establishment of the Headquarters at 177, Ann Street, Brisbane marks a mile tone in the progress of the Order in Queensland, where its affairs have been admini tered under somewhat difficult circumstances.

W SOUTH WALES

In New South Wale the public duties carded out by Brigade personnel exceeded 80,000.

At Lane Cove National Park in December 1961 and January, 1962 the Cadet Camp proved mo t successful. In addition to New South Wales Cadets contingents from Victoria and South u tralia were in attendance.

It is noted also that the facilities of the "Sir Hugh Poate Centre" in the Blue Mountains are being availed of to an increa ing degree by the Brigade.

New South Wales Di trict is forlunate in having available such a fine Centre for recreation as well a training.

VICTORIA

In Victoria the holding of the Priory meeting in Melbourne in October impressed members of the Brigade with the reali ation that each was a part of a great national organisation.

The influx of repre entatives of the Order, the Association and the Brigade from other States afforded an opportunity for Victorian members to gain knowledge of the work of the Order in all parts of Australia and the interchange of ideas can only result in benefit to our Organisation.

Throughout the year there has been a continued and lively enthusiasm within the Brigade in response to the many calls for public duties throughout the State.

Considerable expan ion is also evident by the formation of several new Divisions.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

One of the highlights of the year was the Consecration of the Brigade Colour in the presence of His Excellency The Governor, Deputy Prior, on the occasion of the Annual Review. In addition to the atmosphere of solemnity and dignity of the occasion, a pleasing feature was the excellent attendance of members of the Brigade and the large number of the public assembled to witness the ceremony.

In this District not only have the various duties been discharged in the excellent manner associated with it, but by transmuting the deficit of