Tasmanian Lachlan Hindrum: A 2018 National Champion
Tess Brunton, 16 January 2018, The Examiner.
Lachlan Hindrum, 16
Less than 18 months ago, Lachlan Hindrum, 16, didn’t know what a first aid competition was.
By the time Lachlan Hindrum, 16, picks up a medical textbook, he will have years of experience under his belt.
He joined St John Ambulance Cadets more than a year ago and already has assisted at 28 events including Marion Bay Falls Festival, SuperSprint Supercars and Tasmania Craft Fair.
Lachlan is one of four St John cadets travelling to Adelaide to compete in the St John Ambulance Australia National Cadet Competition held between January 5 and 12.
He will compete alongside Hobart cadets Wade Wilson, team leader Luke Harris and Aden Roberts.
Already Lachlan was preparing for some “curveballs” in the competition, he said.
When he competed in the state competition last September, he walked onto the scene of a car crash, caring for three patients in a 12 minutes time slot.
“I could be setting up a medical centre … with upwards of five patients,” he said.
However, whatever was thrown at him would help him prepare for a career as a paramedic.
“It’s a perfect gateway for it,” he said. “Cadets are really only limited by their own motivation.”
He was excited, but nervous to be competing in the national competition, he said.
“It’s definitely furthered my first aid and medical knowledge.”
Joining the cadets had also improved his communication and empathy towards others, he said.
Lachlan wasn’t sure how he fit his cadet activities in around being a full time student with a part time job.
St John Ambulance state chief executive officer Roxy Cowie said Lachlan worked confidently and was well prepared when she saw him as a youth first responder at Falls Festival 2017.
He worked alongside paramedics, doctors and nurses to help patrons stay safe and healthy, she said.
St John Ambulance state officer of cadets Vanessa Henry said the cadets would represent Tasmania well at the national competitions.
They could be thrown any task from helping at a child birth to a crash, she said.
However, the cadets were incredibly dedicated, motivated and prepared, Ms Henry said.
Lachlan joined the Cadets to help him prepare for a career as a paramedic, and he says that he would recommend St John Cadets for anybody planning a career in a health profession.
