St John Members Honoured in Investiture Ceremony

Nineteen St John members will receive a St John Honour at an Investiture ceremony, held in Timaru on Sunday, 7 October.

The Honours are sanctioned by Her Majesty The Queen, Sovereign Head of the Most Venerable Order of St John.

St John has its own honours system. It confers Membership of the Order on individuals who have acted conspicuously in carrying out its mission in New Zealand: to prevent and relieve sickness and injury, and to act to enhance the health and well-being of people of all races and creeds. Members may be promoted to a higher Grade dependent on their ongoing contribution. Factors used to determine admission or promotion include: dedicated service including the quality of contribution; successful leadership; and the potential for future leadership or administration.

The Investiture Ceremony will be held at the Sacred Heart Basilica, Craigie Avenue, Timaru.

Citations

To Be Commander

Pauline Elizabeth BEATTIE                                  Ranfurly

Mrs Beattie joined the Regional Trust Board in 2005 and spends considerable time and effort in keeping in contact with the Area Committees in her electorate (Central Otago).   As a Trust Board Member, she is a driving force behind the Central Otago Area Chairman’s Form and uses its meetings to ensure her Areas are fully informed of Board and general St John activity. She is thoroughly committed to a long term role as a Trust Board member and her interest and communications are greatly appreciated by the Areas in Central Otago.

To be Officer

Stewart Burnby                                                       Te Anau

Stewart has been an active member of emergency services in Te Anau for approximately 20 years.  Stewart runs his own business and sacrifices many hours to volunteer ambulance crewing for the Service – involving often many trips to Invercargill – interrupting many business hours of productive work.  He has undertaken Paramedic training in order to enhance this volunteer service.

He is a winch crewman on a Te Anau rescue helicopter operation which covers a vast area in the Southern part of the South Island. He holds the position of Chairperson for the Te Anau Area.  He attended 255 calls for the 2005 year.

Ian David DALTON                                                  Leeston

Well respected in the community, he was appointed Chair of the Ellesmere Area Committee in 1996, a position he still holds today. Dedicated to ensuring the continuation of St John services both locally, regionally and nationally, Ian has used his planning and fundraising skills to best advantage to raise funds in the Ellesmere Area to enable purchase of equipment for the provision of services.  Under his leadership, the area is now working towards new premises to house a new St John facility in a combined Emergency Services Centre for Ellesmere.

Phillip James GODFREY                                       Ashburton

Serving continuously for more than 21 years as the local Chairman of St John,  Dr Godfrey has clearly demonstrated an ability to hold, with the support of the Ashburton community, a position carrying major local responsibility.  By applying a consistent, conservative, at times questioning but nevertheless progressive leadership style, this long serving Chairman has guided his Area Committee through many significant changes:

John Richard LEEDS                                             Coalgate

John Leeds has been the Secretary for the Malvern Area Committee for many years.  As a key team member he has chaired the Canterbury District Ambulance Service Committee and more latterly represents Malvern Area at the Mid-Canterbury District meetings.  He is the interface between St John and the Malvern Community.

Thomas James Alexander MCLAREN               Rangiora

Tom has been an enthusiastic and dedicated member who gives many hours of volunteer time to help with St John in the Rangiora Community.  Tom began his commitment by manning the telephones under the now outdated call out system, this was a huge commitment when added to the Volunteer operational work he was doing.  When he was head Mechanic at the Farmers Garage in Rangiora he maintained what was then the Area Vehicles. He carried out this work voluntarily in his own time which was of great benefit to the Rangiora Area Committee.

Heather Margaret RUSS                                        Nelson

For many years Heather has volunteered many hours to St John Youth in the Nelson District.  As well, Heather has through her own personal commitment and professionalism, built up a well run health shuttle service.  As well as her other St John commitments, Heather volunteers many hours as an Events Officer in the Richmond Area and her skills and leadership are well respected. 

She is a strong influencer in the local community, gaining much support for St John, ensuring the continuation of the provision of services and encouraging the business community to support local fundraising efforts.

Susanne Mary WOOD                                            Wellington

Mrs Wood is a communications consultant who has brought an immense wealth of corporate and government relation’s experience to the Priory Trust Board since her appointment in 2001. Her perceptive desire to see St John be a contemporary organisation balanced by its traditional and iconic status is a huge strength.  Mrs Wood’s ability to proffer a well-considered independent viewpoint and determination to move the organisation forward gives the Priory Trust Board great confidence for the future. 

To be Member

Graeme ALEXANDER                                            Westport

Graeme Alexander has led by example and through his organisational expertise and empathy he has created an effective team with substantial community backing.  The combined Karamea/Westport Area is flourishing under Graeme’s leadership.

With the impending loss of many health services in this area Graeme, through his leadership, is working to enhance community awareness to ensure they know they have St John as an organisation to rely on.  In this he is encouraging self help by training in first aid and other initiatives.

Graeme Peter FAULKNER                                    Blenheim

Graeme has a lifelong interest in St John and has made a significant contribution over many years, and continues to do so.  Marlborough Area has progressed under his effective leadership to a professional and motivated centre.  With his ability to communicate and excellent interpersonal skills and persistence, he keeps the Area Committee, his District and Region informed of the direction of progress.  This has led to some excellent initiatives, especially in training, within the community and the Airforce Base.  Graeme always shows a willingness to accept additional responsibilities.  He acts with great empathy in his service for St John.

Therese Honoramary GIBBENS                         Greymouth

Therese Gibbens started as a Youth member in Greymouth in 1978.  Two of her most notable achievements during this time were being honoured as a Grand Prior Cadet and also being a member of a winning team at National Youth Competitions.  As an adult she returned to St John in 1999 to be a member of the Greymouth Area Committee, committed to furthering the work of St John in the local community and wider West Coast District.  Appointed Chair of the Greymouth Area Committee, Therese is an energetic and professional leader and a great advocate for St John on the West Coast.  She, with her husband, manages a hospitality business in Greymouth and they both also extend their energies to serve other local community organisations.

Graeme William Henry GRENNELL                    Christchurch

Graeme is the Administration Assistant HR – formerly Administration Officer Community Services for the Region.  In this position Graeme has been the first port of call for the general St John members both paid and volunteers.  His sincere, approachable manner and helpful advice is willingly sought by many, which certainly helps St John function smoothly.  He has an innate ability to listen and channel the concerned person to a person best able to assist and help solve the query.

Desmond Patrick MCENANEY                                       Hokitika

Des McEnaney was elected as a member of the Regional Trust Board, Northern Region (SI) in 2002 and is now on his second term.  He is the District Chair for the West Coast (a large geographical area) and past Chair of the Hokitika Area Committee. Des is a strong advocate for St John in this Region and in particular for the West Coast, which he understands fully, working tirelessly to raise the profile of our organisation.  In the course of his business he travels the full length of the West Coast on a regular basis, keeping in touch and understanding the St John family and always willing to carry out additional duties and responsibilities with commitment.  Des has provided leadership in Hokitika, in leading his Area Committee team to the successful completion of a new St John facility at Hokitika.  This was a very difficult time, as at the start of this process there were little funds and the site that was obtained required significant work to gain all the required consents.  This facility opened on 10 December 2005, to wide acclaim.

Sandra Anne NEWELL                                          Christchurch

Sandra Newell is an Advanced Paramedic and Team Manager within Operations, based on Christchurch Station.   Commencing as a Volunteer with St John 25 years ago, Sandra was a dedicated member of Christchurch South Division until taking up a paid role as an Ambulance Officer.  In her role as Team Manager she excels, showing great empathy and professionalism to all St John members.  Sandra is also heavily involved in peer support within the Region, dedicating many voluntary hours to supporting and mentoring not only St John members following difficult and traumatic scenarios, but also NZ Fire Service members, under the shared peer support team arrangements.

James Harry PINER           Runanga

Harry continued to give of his time and talents to the operational arm of St John.  For many years Harry has provided event services to the sport of rugby and speedway within the Grey District.  Most weekends during the year are taken up with this activity.  Harry has taken responsibility for ensuring all events within his District are supported and manpower provided to meet the needs of the clients.  Since 1999 he has also been part of the ambulance team at Runanga and Greymouth and continued to fill roster gaps at short notice when able.  Harry’s support of St John is very strong and is worth of recognition.

David RICHARDS                                                    Christchurch

Dr David Richards is a Consultant Emergency Physician at the Christchurch Hospital Emergency Department.  His role with St John is that of Regional Medical Advisor, a position he was appointed to in 2000.  Dr Richards represents St John, Northern Region (SI) on the Clinical Advisory Committee at a national level.  He is Clinical Advisor to the PRIME Co-ordinating Committee and involved in the delivery of PRIME Training.    He also oversees the Clinical Audit processes regionally.

Geoffrey Thomas RIDLEY                                     Christchurch

Geoff Ridley is an appointed member to the Northern Region (SI) Trust Board.    He also serves on the Regional Remuneration & Review Sub-Committee of the Board and the National Remuneration Committee. He brings to the Board significant experience in governance.  He has held the position of Chairman of the Institute of Directors in Canterbury and is currently a Fellow of the Institute of Managers and a Fellow of the Institute of Directors.  His business acumen enables him to question with integrity, understand and ensure the most appropriate course of action is taken.

John Edward SUNCKELL                                    Leeston

John Suncknell joined St John Ellesmere in 1983 with seven other new members.  Today he is one of only three that still continues to be rostered on a regular basis.  He completed his Proficiency Qualification after taking a year off to explore the world.  At that stage he was covering between three and four 12 hour shifts per week.  After returning from overseas John was appointed Station Officer, a position he held for approx 8 years.  He was the first IV qualified ambulance Officer in Ellesmere and the only one for some 6 – 8 years.  His skill level was highly respected by his St John colleagues, respect which remains today.

Bevin John ROY                                                      Gore

Mr Roy joined the Adult Division of the Gore Area in 1973, serving as a Volunteer Ambulance and Public Duty Officer.   He then shifted to West Otago where he was a Volunteer Ambulance Officer.   He had a period out of the service due to work commitments and then shifted back to Gore in 1993.   Since that date he has regularly attended training sessions, developing into a very competent Ambulance and Public Events Officer giving service well beyond what is expected - it is not unusual for him to be called on to fill in on the roster twice per week.   As well, if the duty officer is required to be absent from station for extended periods during the day Mr Roy is usually asked, and usually agrees, to cover the town while the duty officer is absent.   He is an agricultural contractor by profession and often has considerable spare time available which he is prepared to give to St John.

Raylene WELSH                                                      Dunedin

Mrs Welsh who is the General Manager’s Personal Assistant, gives a significant volunteer contribution as Secretary to the Otago Emergency Air Ambulance Trust.   She shows absolute commitment to the role readily accepts additional roles such as Conference Organisation.  Her willingness to work well outside normal hours is a huge assistance to the regional management group. 

ENDS

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