St John celebrates 56 years

 THE Order of St John (PNG) is celebrating 56 years of charitable services in health, education, ambulance and volunteering in the country. 

Chief Commissioner John Waingut told The National yesterday that this week had been declared as the St John week with the theme “Revitalising St John”.  

Each of the organisation’s arms were organising their own activities to commemorate the milestone.

He said those were lead-up activities to the main event on June 24 which is the birthday of St John the Baptist, the organisation’s patron saint. 

“On Saturday night we will have the president’s black and white charity ball at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, hosted by Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio. 

“Tickets are going for K1,000 per person and K10,000 for a table,” Waingut said.

“On Monday there will be a march to the St John cathedral in town followed by a service then we have the investiture of senior officers and awarding of certificates to volunteers.”

“We’re rebuilding and revitalising St John and one of the significant moves is the shifting of the headquarters from Rainbow Estate in Gerehu to 3-Mile where the Ambulances Services were before.”

Waingut said they plan to build a new three storey building for their headquarters then slowly move out to other provinces. 

He said St John had gone through some turbulent times but what they were doing now was rebuilding the organisation.