St John Ambulance Victoria program ‘Party Ready’ wins national award
A new party program to prepare Victorian youths for the dangers of alcohol and drug-taking has been recognised at the Resilient Australia Awards.
A party program to prepare Victorian youths for the dangers of alcohol and drug-taking has been recognised at the Resilient Australia Awards.
St John Ambulance Victoria received the recognition for its invention that helped teach students about the potential dangers at parties and “harm minimisation” techniques for emergencies situations.
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Party Ready was developed to highlight the importance of planning for before, during and after a social event – which can help partygoers avoid trouble.
Delivered to secondary school students in year 9 and 10, the program stood out because of the ways it went beyond traditional first aid to contextualise training in real-life social settings, from party peer pressure to substance misuse and mental health crises.
Since its launch in 2022 it has reached thousands of students across the state.
St John Ambulance Victoria chief executive Gordon Botwright said the award reflected the organisation’s commitment to preparing the next generation.
“Party Ready gives young people practical, lifesaving skills in a way that truly resonates with them,” Mr Botwright said.
“This award is not only recognition of the program’s impact, but also of the power of equipping teenagers to step up in emergencies, look after their mates, and to contribute to safer, more resilient communities.”
PARTY PLANNING
Advice imparted by Party Ready includes arriving at a party with a full stomach of food, a plan for getting home safely and “a trusted friend so you can look out for each other”.
St John Ambulance Victoria community program officer and Party Ready co-ordinator Chantelle Marshall also teaches teens physical and mental first aid techniques – including the recovery position, which she says can “save lives if they have friends who are intoxicated”.
While at a party, she advises her students to drink water, eat, and keep an eye on their friends and their drinks. “If you open any sort of drink and leave it, throw it out and get something fresh,” she adds.
With harm minimisation in mind, Marshall recommends the Alcohol and Drug Foundation’s free and anonymous text service, in which people can text the official or street name of any drug to 0439 TELL ME (0439 835 563) for instant information about the effects, how long it will last, what an overdose looks like and tips for reducing risk.
Read more about the program here.
