By Lillian Sopera Keneqa – EMTV News, Port Moresby
St John Ambulance Commissioner, Matthew Cannon, was recently honored with admission as an Officer of the Order of St John, a Queen’s Sovereign Order. Cannon, a registered paramedic, started his career wit h St John Ambulance over 16 years ago, of which he has spent the last four of those years here in Port Moresby.
Cannon said, “Working for an ambulance service is like no other job in the world. There is no other profession where you would walk into someone’s house and they would hand you their newborn baby without hesitation; it’s a tremendous responsibility, and as CEO of St John I have never taken this responsibility lightly.”
“I am passionate about seeing St John Ambulance being able to contribute to the already amazing work being done by nurses, midwives, doctors and allied health workers here.” Cannon added.
Prior to taking up the top job with St John PNG, Cannon worked for the NSW Minister for Health as a liaison for the Ambulance Service, and prior to that a senior operations manager with St John.
The Deputy Chairman of the National St John Council of Papua New Guinea, Ian Clough, said, “ The Council recently extended Cannon’s contract for another three years, recognising the much-needed growth and regained community confidence in St John in the communities, under Cannon’s leadership.”
National Council Chair, Madam Jean Kekedo, said “The acceptance of Mr Cannon into the Queen’s Order was clear recognition of the significant contribution he has made to progressing quality ambulance and emergency services in Papua New Guinea.”
