Airport Development Group Community Grants Program Supports Lifesaving Education in Schools

Airport Development Group (ADG) is proud to support St John NT’s First Aid in Schools program through its Community Grants Program, helping equip young Territorians with vital lifesaving skills.

The First Aid in Schools initiative introduces preschool and school-aged children to the basics of first aid through engaging, age-appropriate activities such as storytelling, role-playing and interactive demonstrations.

The program helps reduce fear of uniforms, medical equipment, and ambulances, while teaching children the skills and confidence needed to respond in a medical emergency.

Children learn the fundamentals of first aid, including the DRSABCD action plan, wound care, and bite treatment, empowering them with the knowledge and confidence to help a loved one, classmate or member of the community.

The program also works closely with the Clontarf and Stars Foundation programs in Darwin schools, offering free first aid training to their students and inspiring the next generation of community leaders to act with care and confidence in an emergency.

ADG’s Community Grants Program supports initiatives that make a real and lasting difference to the wellbeing of Territorians.

Rychelle Vines, ADG Indigenous and Community Projects Manager, said the grant recognises the important role St John NT plays in keeping communities safe.

“ADG’s Community Grants Program supports initiatives that make a real and lasting difference to the wellbeing of Territorians. St John NT’s First Aid in Schools program gives young people the skills and confidence to save lives, and that’s an incredible gift to our community.”

St John NT’s Community Educator, Hayley Sues, said the partnership with ADG enables the organisation to continue delivering the program to schools across the Territory.

“We are grateful for ADG’s support, which helps us reach more young people through the First Aid in Schools program. Learning these essential skills early builds confidence and awareness and we know these lessons can make all the difference in an emergency.”

A vital first aid protocol used by St John’s NT is the DRSABCD action plan, which stands for

• Danger: Check for hazards in the environment.
• Response: Check for a response from the patient.
• Send for help: If there is no response, call for emergency assistance.
• Airway: Open the airway if necessary.
• Breathing: Check for breathing and manage any life-threatening conditions.
• CPR: Start CPR if breathing is not normal.
• Defibrillation: apply a defibrillator if available

Understanding this plan ensure the first aiders can quickly assess and manage life-threatening situations until professional help arrives. For more information or to book a session please visit: https://www.stjohnnt.org.au/fais

ADG’s Community Grants Program supports a range of not-for-profit and community organisations across the Northern Territory. The program focuses on initiatives that contribute to community wellbeing, inclusion, education, and regional development across the regions where ADG operates.

Round 4 of the ADG Community Grants will open on 10 November 2025 - for more information about ADG’s Community Grants Program, visit: Community Grants | Airport Development Group | NT