Now approaching his 18th birthday in May, Nick thought he'd like to "give it a go" joining the St John Ambulance when he saw cadets working in the crowd at the Pantech Parade up main street during the Bathurst 1000 seven years ago.

"I knew a person a few years older in the Cadets," Nick said. "I said to myself, I can do that. I'll give it a go."

Nick became a St John Ambulance cadet, spending Monday nights alongside an original 15 regulars at the meetings and courses where various emergency scenarios were created and boys and girls were taught to respond with appropriate treatment.

There was training in all aspects of ambulance work. Nick sat for and obtained his preliminary First Aid Certificate and was only 14-years-old when he became a Senior St John Ambulance Cadet, working his way forward for his Advanced Life Support and Advanced First Aid Certificate.

Not only has Nick progressed in the cadets, he has over two years been a member of two Bathurst cadet teams, three of whom have been NSW First Aid Champions. In 2007 with James Adams and Brooke Woodward and 2008 with Heidi Starr and Megan Bourke.

He has also involved himself with St John Ambulance, three years ago he joined Rural Fire Services at Perthville-Georges plains where he lives. He's become the brigades training officer, ensuring members of the brigade obtain competency levels to respond to bushfires that have already become part of his life.

While Nick reads a lot since obtaining his Higher School Certificate from Kelso High School last year, it is always a book about fire fighting, medical treatments and nursing. He had been involved with St John and the RFS in his last year studying for the HSC, while also attending the College of Technical and Further Education to obtain Assistant Nursing Certificate 3, to work at Macquarie Care.