KALAMUNDA resident Steve Fraser has been named St John WA Metro volunteer of the year, but his journey to service began long before donning the green uniform.

From mechanic to photographer to volunteer training manager, Mr Fraser’s life has taken many turns.

Having moved to Forrestfield in 1987 and now living in Gooseberry Hill, Mr Fraser said hills life was an exhale from the bustle of the city.

“I worked in the corporate world for a long time and you drive home every day, come up the hill and feel like you had escaped the city and left it behind,” he said.

He worked for 25 years as a mechanic at John Hughes and eventually became part-owner, but stagnation set in.

“I think it’s the challenge of wanting to have, in a sense, as big and as meaningful, significant a life as you can,” he said.

“I got to a point where I felt like I’d come to the end of that and there had to be something more, and that was the transition then into the photography world.

“Photography had always been a hobby – Dad was a keen amateur photographer (and) had a dark room at home when we were kids so I’d always enjoyed it without knowing if I was any good at it.

“I decided I’m going to give this five years.

“I’ll work as a professional and if in five years’ time I’ve done my very best at it and it comes to nothing, then I’ll have a great hobby for life and I’ll have to reinvent myself and work out where to from there.”

After three years Mr Fraser began getting significant work in the photography world.

His work has been published by Australian Geographic, who described him as a master of light and composition, and he has since photographed more than 130 countries.

Today, he continues his photography career while also serving the community as a volunteer event ambulance officer and training manager.

“Covid-19 was what really brought about my volunteering with St John,” Mr Fraser said.

“All my photography work is basically overseas, so when Covid-19 happened, I thought, ‘What the heck am I going to do next?’

“So that’s when I got involved with them.”

Since joining, he’s risen quickly through the ranks of the organisation, and said the key was a willingness to learn.

“It’s the joy of, I think, being a lifelong learner,” he said.

“I think the fact is that if you’re dedicated and you go, ‘I really want to change’, then opportunities are there.

“Often a lot of people undervalue themselves and they say, ‘Oh, I don’t think I’d be good – it’s a different industry, how could I possibly change?’

“‘I’ve been in this world so long, this is all I know.’

“I think most industries, most environments are looking for really good, decent, hardworking people.

“If you come to that without the skills, they’re generally willing to teach those skills, but it’s very hard for them, I think, to teach you that really good approach and attitude to life.”

Asked how his view on making a difference had evolved over the years, Mr Fraser said it was now about recognising others’ stories with compassion.

“Well, I think having the travel side of things has definitely made me a lot more compassionate seeing people who live in really tough circumstances,” he said.

“If you live in Australia, grew up in Australia then I think having travelled to so many countries you pretty much win the lottery of life.”

He said his outlook had become less judgmental.

“You look at people in the metro area with medical conditions that 20 years ago I may have made a snap decision about…

“Now, I make no value judgement and I’m totally open to going it’s just a person, everyone’s got a story.”

Mr Fraser said perspective grounded him and kept him appreciative while also aware of what he was able to give.

“It’s always easy to find fault and that’s understandable but you do have to look and go, ‘Gee, we have it really great,’” he said.

“This is an amazing place to live even across the developed world with incredible health care, great education, great quality of life and lots of opportunities.”

Mr Fraser said the next chapter in life always awaited but it didn’t need to be a threat or challenge.

“I’m not sure what it is and it’s not something I’m looking to change today but if opportunities come along, I’m certainly open to looking at those.

“I think having transitioned a few times now, it’s obviously nowhere near as confronting or challenging than it was the very first time you go, ‘I’m going to leave my corporate life and go into this photography world.’

“I’m looking forward to whatever the next chapter is and I expect volunteering with St John will be a big part of that.”