• Two Charles Sturt alumni working with NSW Ambulance have been awarded Commissioner’s Certificates for their work on reducing youth road trauma
• The Dare to be Aware program reached more than 1,500 high school students across 30 Western NSW schools in 2026, and aims to be delivered from the Blue Mountains to Broken Hill in future

Two Charles Sturt University alumni have been recognised by NSW Ambulance for a road safety program they have developed and delivered to more than 1,500 high school students in western NSW.

Paramedics Ms Jodie Klein and Mr Joshua Lang have been recognised for the 'Dare to be Aware' initiaitive after recently receiving a Commissioner’s Certificate recognising their involvement in the Dare to be Aware initiative.

The Dare to be Aware program is a one-day program where students witness a road crash scenario, participate in interactive educational stalls and engage with emergency services to reduce their risk of dangerous driving.

A team of four paramedics and one police officer have this year delivered the program to 1,500 Year 11 students from 30 schools at Binnaway, Coolah, Dunedoo, Mudgee, Molong, Dubbo, Bourke, Mendooran, Nyngan, Warren and Cobar.

Charles Sturt University Vice-Chancellor Professor Renée Leon said this was well-deserved recognition for two very capable alumni.

“Congratulations to Ms Klein and Mr Lang on their work with the Dare to be Aware program,” she said.

“Jodie and Joshua exemplify the leadership, professionalism and community commitment we strive to foster in our graduates. Their work demonstrates how Charles Sturt alumni are making a tangible difference in regional communities and improving outcomes for future generations.”

There were 121 youth fatalities as drivers or passengers in Australia in 2025. Youth drivers in regional or rural areas are more likely to be involved in a fatal road accident than those in metropolitan areas.

Mr Lang was recognised for his role in developing the program. He brought on Ms Klein as a presenter as the team started to grow.

Ms Klein graduated with a Bachelor of Paramedicine in the Charles Sturt School of Nursing, Paramedicine and Healthcare Sciences in 2021 and has been working as a NSW Ambulance Paramedic at Dunedoo Station.

Both have made an impact with their service in a short time and received the  Commissioner’s Certificate in recognition of their involvement with Dare to be Aware, a joint initiative with NSW Police inspired by the NSW Ambulance’s team experience working in regional NSW.

“Our goal is to see Dare to be Aware continue to grow as an annual event across Western NSW, reaching every student from the Blue Mountains to Broken Hill and ultimately helping prevent serious crashes and save lives,” Mr Lang said.

“If something a student sees or hears at the event makes them think twice before making a decision on the road, then we have achieved what we set out to do.”

Mr Lang said the Commissioner’s Certificate is a recognition of the whole team’s contribution to educate and improve the safety of young drivers.

Ms Klein said she loves being a paramedic and is thankful for the recognition for what she calls a ‘rewarding career’.

“The Commissioner’s Certificate is a fantastic recognition for a program that is so important to our youth and showing the importance of their consequences of dangerous driving behaviours,” Ms Klein said.

“Receiving the award is also very humbling. You do not expect the recognition as you do not do it for the recognition.”