After 21 years of serving the families of North Otago, Plunket nurse Taieri Hore is leaving to become co-ordinator of the Otago Rural Support Trust.
She has travelled more than 500,000km to help about 1575 children get a good start.
In a speech delivered yesterday on her last day at Oamaru's Plunket rooms, she made a final request of the Government and anyone who could help.
She said the future should mean more staff for Plunket, an increase in the number of contacts with new families, the "Well Child'' programme to be made compulsory.
About 30 people gathered to listen to Mrs Hore's words as she spoke of the highs and lows of the job and what North Otago meant to her.
The lows included the number of children still dying at the hands of people who should be caring for them.
"No-one wants children to receive or face abuse or neglect of any kind, but not every carer can do this without help.
"Sir Truby King wrote 'help the mothers, save the babies'; I believe this is more relevant today than ever.''
Career highlights included the number of families and children she had worked with and one time where she rode a penny-farthing in Kurow.
"To knock on a door not knowing what I will encounter is a challenge in itself, but as Plunket still has a very positive profile, I always feel welcome.
"Every parent has a need, some greater than others, and every parent, yes every parent, has a diamond somewhere inside.
"I am proud of my ability to find those diamonds, however deep, and help grow them into magnificent stones.''
Other highlights included the reduction in cot deaths and the decline in trauma from vehicle crashes with the law making child restraints compulsory.
When she started her career, she had four clinics in North Otago, but she felt a huge connection with Kurow Plunket.
``From the very first visit to those magnificent rooms I felt if ever there was a place to call home in my nursing career this was it.
``Little did I know then I would come to live in the area.''
She originally planned to work for 10 years, but something would always pop up just as she hoped to move on.
One of Mrs Hore's last clients, Oamaru mother Christy Townsend, said Mrs Hore was always approachable with her two children.
"She's amazing. We like her.
"Really good with kids, especially with Zac. He was my first so it's always scary, but she was awesome and very practical.''
Mrs Hore said she had mixed feelings about leaving Plunket.
"I feel very proud I've been involved in an organisation that does so much for families.
"I'm sad that the dollar restricts how much we do.
"I'm proud of being able to make a difference to so many families in North Otago.''
