Then one day while attending an event, the 19-year-old got talking to St John Ambulance staff who were encouraging people to volunteer for the organisation.
Intrigued, Mr Nelson felt a strong connection to becoming a volunteer paramedic.
‘I did a first aid course and loved it; they told me I should contact Event Health Services,’ he said.
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READ NOW‘That’s what put me on this path. I really got involved because I want to serve the community in their time of need.’
Last year Mr Nelson completed more than 150 hours of volunteer service helping at events ranging from concerts to the Perth Royal Show.
He was recently named the Event Health Services Young Volunteer of the Year at the St John Ambulance WA Volunteer of the Year Awards.
‘It was a mixed feeling to get it,’ he said.
‘I liked getting the award, but I’m part of a team. It was weird to get it.
‘It is a great organisation and I have made some valuable friends.
‘I just really like treating patients.’
Mr Nelson devotes most weekends to volunteering and often gets up in the early hours to drive to Donnybrook to help the country ambulance crews in the town.
Event Health Services provides first aid support at more than 2100 events annually, including Skyworks and Leavers celebrations.
Realising he has found his right career path, Mr Nelson deferred his teaching degree and will start studying paramedicine at Edith Cowan University’s Joondalup Campus next year.