St John WA volunteers in Walpole launch fundraising party to help pay for rebuilding of mouldy sub centre

Walpole’s St John WA volunteers are hoping a Giveback Getdown party fundraiser this month will raise $15,000 towards the cost of a new sub centre. The current building, which is around 60 years old, has fallen victim to structural problems, cracked walls and mould — as well as containing asbestos that would cost about $50,000 to remove. With surging numbers of tourists, St John WA’s Walpole chair Ivan Woodhams said a new base was needed with the town’s 24 ambulance and operational support members responding to between 80 and 100 jobs a year. Mr Woodhams said the fundraiser was as much about drumming up awareness and community support for the work they do as raising cash. “If it’s 2am and you need an ambulance, we are the ones who make it happen,” he said. “We are a highly respected regional centre, but we don’t get funded like the SES or the Fire and Rescue Service. “So many people sit back in this world so it’s hard to get volunteers. “We just want to make the local community aware of what we do.” With no hospital in town, all community transfers must travel to Denmark, Albany or beyond, meaning there is no income from hospital transfers. Event organiser and St John WA volunteer Mala Haslem said the new facility would provide a dedicated, modern space for volunteers, vehicles and equipment. “This is crucial for sustaining emergency response, training and long-term volunteer recruitment,” she said. Mr Woodhams hopes the new building will be completed by Christmas 2026 with a feasibility study already complete and architects and engineers onboard. The fundraiser will be at the Walpole Country Club on May 24 from 5pm.