A local Hato Hone St John cadet has been selected to travel to Hong Kong in July to compete in the Asia Pacific Regional Youth First Aid Competition.

Lily Wilson (17) is one of just ten members of St John Youth from around the country to be selected for the competition, where she will test her skills in high-stakes scenarios.

St John competitions test competitors' ability to respond to emergency situations and Lily said the Asia-Pacific competition is slightly different to the ones in New Zealand.

“They have a nursing and ambulance team and focus on trauma and patient care and things like that,” she said. 

Lily has been involved with St John since she was six; she says it has had a big influence on her plans to study nursing when she finishes school this year.

As part of the two-week trip to Hong Kong Lily will also get the chance to participate in St John Hong Kong’s 140th birthday celebrations, which will include visiting cultural sites and other activities. 

Lily has been involved with St John Youth since the age of six and it has become a huge part of her life. 

She is the South Island Cadet of the Year 2024, a major achievement and responsibility within the organisation, and the first time a Wānaka cadet has received the honour.

“I get to attend a lot of the events across the South Island,” Lily said. 

“That can be investitures, where we ‘invest’ people into the Order of St John. There’s also competitions and regional camps.

“When I’m not travelling I get to keep in contact with a lot of the young people in the organisation and help the other cadets.”

In April she competed at the national St John annual competition as a team leader for one of the South Island teams; her team was tested by responding to scenarios including a car crash and a bus that was on fire, among many others.

Lily’s team was crowned champion team at the competition and she was named champion team leader.

The camaraderie and the learning opportunities within St John are what keep Lily interested and she says she expects to have a lifelong involvement with the organisation.

“I’ve met some of my closest friends within the organisation which is really cool,” she said. “I’ve also found so many leadership opportunities and places to grow my skills.”

Lily is in her last year of school this year and she plans to study nursing next year.

“St John has shown me that I really like caring for other people.”

“I can see myself working on the ambulance in the future possibly as a volunteer and see myself continuing with the Youth Programme in a leadership role. ”

The local St John has run its youth programme for 15 years. 

Find more information about it here.

PHOTOS: Supplied