Our History

Brief History of St John Ambulance in Papua New Guinea

St John Ambulance Papua New Guinea is an establishment of The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem, founded on the promise of relief of persons in need regardless of race, creed, social class or financial circumstances.

It is a non-profitable organisation and began in Papua New Guinea as a sub-branch of St John New South Wales on 7th December 1957 conducting first aid training in mission schools.

First aid training courses and certificates were issued out of Sydney until in 1963 when the Territory of Papua New Guinea Centre of the St John Ambulance Association within the Priory of Australia came into existence.

On 30th October 1965, the new headquarters building, (now known as St John Education Service, Taurama) of the Sub-Centre of New South Wales was opened.

The headquarters ‘established a strong material link’ between St John and the health authorities as part of the building was going to operate government ambulance service in Port Moresby.

The first Brigade Division in Port Moresby was established in 1962 as part of the NSW District, until 1966.

The Brigade and Association later merged and formed St John Ambulance.
In 1976 a Bill was introduced in Parliament and the National St John Council of Papua New Guinea was incorporated as an Act of Parliament.

At the end of March 1976, the National St John Council of Papua New Guinea was formed which took over the responsibilities of the Executive Committee.

The Priory of Australia handed over its assets and work of the Order to the newly incorporated Council of Papua New Guinea. The Council was now answerable directly to Grand Priory and St John’s gate, just like the Priory in Australia.

In 1979, the Council approved the establishment of St John Association for the Blind, known today as St John Blind Service, and in 1983 set up the St John Ambulance Service to provide professional ambulance facilities.

The National St John Council of Papua New Guinea governs six (6) service branches of St John Ambulance in Papua New Guinea, of which, three (3) are in partnership with the National Department of Health.

St John Ambulance in Papua New Guinea is one of the 33 Associations around the world that is run by National St John Councils and governed by the Grand Council of the Order of St John based in London.

Her Majesty The Queen of England is the Sovereign Head of the Order. The Grand Prior is the Duke of Gloucester. The Grand Council consists of The Great Officers, The Order Hospitaller and senior representatives of eight priories.

The priories include England, Scotland, Wales, South Africa, New Zealand, Canada, Australia and United States of America.