Dr Valerie Asche to be remembered by St John NT for International Women’s Day

ST John NT will be remembering one of their most influential figures today — this International Women’s Day — the first female patron of St John NT and the first Dame of the Order in the Northern Territory, Dr Valerie Asche

St John NT will be remembering one of their most influential figures today, the first female patron of St John NT and the first Dame of the Order in the Northern Territory, Dr Valerie Asche. Picture: Supplied

ST John NT will be remembering one of their most influential figures today — this International Women’s Day — the first female patron of St John NT and the first Dame of the Order in the Northern Territory, Dr Valerie Asche.

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Dr Asche, whose family has donated her Dame of the Order’s Mantle to St John NT for this year’s day, was a highly respected academic and microbiologist in the Northern Territory, challenging gender norms to forge a remarkable career in science and academia when just 16.1 per cent of university appointments were held by women.

St John NT CEO Judith Barker said Dr Asche embodied the St John NT values of integrity, respect, quality, dedication and passion.

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Moving to the Northern Territory in 1986 when Dr Asche’s husband, Austin Asche, was appointed as a judge in the Supreme Court, Dr Asche flourished in her own right and was appointed Senior Research Officer at the Menzies School of Health Research’s microbiology unit and as a sessional microbiologist at Royal Darwin Hospital.

“In 1993, Dr Asche became the first female patron of St John NT, and the first Dame of the Order in the Northern Territory,” she said.

“Together with Austin, she was a great supporter of St John NT. Her contribution to this organisation, and more broadly her contributions to the science community, have been greatly valued.

Under Dr Asche’s eadership, the Microbiology Unit at Menzies conducted research into a broad range of diseases and Dr Asche authored more than 40 scientific papers.

Mr Asche will attend the International Women’s Day celebrations at the Casuarina Ambulance Centre today.

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St John NT will also be celebrating six women who have been recognised in the 2021 Council of Ambulance Authorities Women in Ambulance Awards.

Put forward by their peers, Amy McCaffrey, Karen Hill, Stephanie Pilat, Jana Lumsdon, Serena Coleman and Nicky Trikilis all received NT Women in Ambulance honours for their embodiment of St John NT values, achievements through their work, leadership and willingness to mentor others in their respective roles with St John NT.

Originally published as Dr Valerie Asche to be remembered by St John NT for International Women’s Day