Donald Leslie Fraser KStJ
Fifteenth Commissioner of St John Victoria District, 1993-1999
At his appointment as Commissioner, Don Fraser was just completing his seventh year as Chairman of Training Branch. This was the first occasion when the appointee was neither a doctor nor a military officer. His expertise was in administration and financial management. He was a long-time member of St John Ambulance Brigade since joining as a cadet. As a Senior Officer in Cadets he was a leader in integrating nursing and ambulance cadets into one youth movement and restructuring the headquarters administration. When he joined St John Council for Victoria he was a prime mover in the appointment of the first salaried Chief Executive with subordinate managers for volunteer administration and commercial first aid training.
His first years as Commissioner were made difficult by budgetary constraints. This was further complicated by his policy of capitation fees for Divisional members as a means of increasing Divisional involvement with organisational finances. The difficulties were gradually resolved and the administrative support to members progressively improved by employed staff. Don was invested as a Knight of Grace in the Order of St John in 1999. He retired at the end of his second triennium.
