Bravo for volunteer effort
UniSA’s Craig Gilbertson was one of the many Australians who
helped out during
the Victorian bushfires in February. He took Emergency Services
Leave to answer a
call for assistance from St John Victoria.
Gilbertson has been a St John volunteer for five years, during which time he has worked at UniSA in several roles, most recently as an Information Technologist within the Learning and Teaching Systems team in Information Strategy and Technology Services.
However, his passion for first aid has inspired him to this year begin full-time study for a Bachelor of Nursing.
During February, Gilbertson and his fellow St John SA members were deployed to Victoria to assist by providing first aid, logistical and communication support.
"St John provided first aid services to the fire fighters and to the general community," he said. "About half of the 40 members in my contingent were deployed to the fire fronts, the other half were deployed to events within the Melbourne metropolitan area to give the Victorian members a break as most of them had been at the fire fronts for the proceeding three weeks.
"Everyone that I saw was pulling together and working towards a common goal. We had about four hours’ sleep a night.
"The hospitality received from our Victorian counterparts was overwhelming – they were relieved to see us and took care of us really well."
Over the past five years Craig has regularly worked with St John at a wide variety of events including SANFL and AFL games, concerts, the Royal Show, the Big Day Out and the Tour Down Under. While at UniSA, he was able to take special leave with pay to attend significant duty for St John during working hours.
University donation
The Australian Technology Network, which includes UniSA, donated $100,000 to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal, with a particular focus on providing education services at the local level.
"The ATN, with universities in each mainland Australian State, is underpinned by the notion of collaboration and partnership – two great characteristics of the Australian people," said ATN Chair Professor Ross Milbourne.
"The Victorian community is part of our national fabric and we must all be a part of the effort to rebuild."
UniSA staff have also been able to make donations to the appeal, through the University’s Workplace Giving Program. The program, which is available to all staff through Human Resources, has been modified so those who wish to support the Bushfire Appeal can do so via the Red Cross or Salvation Army.