MIDLAND First Nations children are learning first aid through a partnership with St John WA and with support from Binar Futures and health insurer HIF.

Training recently took place at Moorditj Noongar Community College in Midland which has a long-standing partnership with Binar Futures, which also runs a popular weekly homework class supported by HIF.

According to a recent study by Aus-ROC the City of Swan has one of the poorest rates of bystander CPR in the state.

HIF chief executive officer Justin James said it was particularly meaningful to see two key community partnerships supported by HIF come together.

“Our partnerships with Binar Futures and St John WA promote community health equity and first aid awareness in schools,” he said.

“This training could ultimately help save lives. First aid is a great skill to learn from a young age and helps create positive futures for First Nations children and their communities.”

Binar Futures is a not-for-profit sport, education and leadership organisation that supports Indigenous youth in Western Australia.

St John’s first aid focus program is a free in-school program offering age-appropriate first aid classes for students ranging from pre-kindy to Year 12, ensuring they are empowered to take the right steps to save a life in the event of a healthcare emergency.

“St John WA, with HIF’s generous support are teaching young First Nations children the importance of looking after one another,” Angel Robins, from St John said.

“It’s important that this first aid is culturally appropriate, which is why we involve First Nations Elders in the training, to keep it meaningful and engaging for how they would use it in their everyday lives,” she said.

“Moorditj and Binar share a common vision to ensure children are well supported to be lifelong learners, proud of their culture and building a strong future for themselves, their families and their community,” Binar Futures founder and executive director Adam Desmond said.