Community Spotlight – Mayor Fuller presents well-deserving Community Safety Champion Award

[Photo features Jo Weeks – St John Ambulance and Mayor Cheryl Fuller – Central Coast Council]

At the recent Central Coast Community Safety Partnership Committee meeting, Mayor Cheryl Fuller presented a Community Safety Champion Award to Jo Weeks.

This Award recognises local organisations or individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to community safety in the Central Coast.

Jo has been an active member of St John Ambulance for 60 years, having joined the organisation in 1964. During her dedicated service to this organisation, she has been an exemplary role model to all those who serve St John. Jo currently holds the position of Vice President of the State Council. She has held numerous other leadership roles within the organisation, including that of Divisional Superintendent at Ulverstone since 1982.

When Jo started her journey with St John, she had a goal of seeing every household had a trained first aider, and her commitment to this mission remains to this day. Jo believes deeply in the value of imparting first aid and CPR skills to others, finding immense satisfaction in the act of teaching. Despite Jo’s demanding teaching career, she has given thousands of voluntary hours to hundreds of public events in the name of service to St John.

She was a founding member of the Spring Bay Division and established a Cadet Division at Ulverstone. She has also made a significant contribution through her support for State and Regional Cadet Camps and her attendance at training examinations for advanced skills first aid.

As well as her service to St John, Jo has been an active supporter and contributor in a range of other community service organisations. Notably, Jo was part of a small team responsible for establishing a ‘Meals on Wheels’ service at Triabunna. She served with the Tasmanian Ambulance Service as a volunteer for 13 years in Triabunna and six years in Ulverstone. She was also an active member of various Parents and Friends committees for 13 years.

Her dedicated and voluntary support of both the Tasmanian Ambulance Service and St John made a significant difference to the East Coast community. Jo was also a member of the Spring Bay Municipal Council for four years in the seventies where she was the Education spokesperson.

Jo’s journey is a powerful reminder of the impact one individual can have on the lives of many —may her legacy inspire us to embrace the joy and fulfilment found in serving others. Jo estimates that she has probably imparted about 35,000 hours of first aid knowledge over her years.

Council would like to thank and commend Jo for her ongoing commitment to keeping our community safe. 

[Story partially taken from Community Safety Partnership Meeting Minutes – 7 August 2024]