Otago St John workers invested as members

Three Otago residents were among 35 St John members who received honours at a national investiture ceremony in Dunedin on Saturday.

Carol Harding, of Kurow, and Brett James and Nicola Third, both of Dunedin, were made Members of the Order of St John during the ceremony at St Paul’s Cathedral.

The honours are sanctioned by the Queen and presented by Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy.

Mr James (46) said he had been a member of St John for 25 years and was now an operational volunteer working "the front line" in ambulances, as well as being a volunteer team leader and St John Dunedin area committee deputy chairman.

"I’m very honoured to be receiving this today. It’s nice recognition for a long time in the order."

He was quick to point out that the honour was not why he was so dedicated to St John.

"I work with an amazing bunch of people and you can’t really speak highly enough of the reward you get from working in an ambulance on the front line.

"It’s incredibly rewarding. You make a difference in people’s live at a time that’s pretty stressful for them. It’s an amazing feeling at the end of the day."

Mrs Third (47), an operational volunteer support team head and member of the St John Dunedin area committee, was also delighted to be made a Member of the Order.

"I started as a first aid person and then just worked through from there.

"We are really just a massive family, not just in Dunedin but right around the country.

"It’s one of those jobs you enjoy waking up to every day. There’s never a day where you feel like you don’t want to go."

She said she had been a member of the order for 28 years and was humbled by the honour.

"To be selected and recognised for something that we do because we love it, it’s nice to know that people appreciate that."

Membership of the order is awarded to individuals who have acted conspicuously in carrying out St John’s mission in New Zealand — to prevent and relieve sickness and injury, and to act to enhance the health and wellbeing of people of all races and creeds.

Members may be promoted to a higher grade, depending on their ongoing contribution.

Factors used to determine admission or promotion include dedicated service, the quality of contribution, successful leadership and the potential for future leadership or administration.

The highest investiture at the ceremony went to John Sunckell, of Leeston, who was invested as a Commander of the Order of St John.

john.lewis@odt.co.nz

Citations: Commander of the Order: John Edward Sunckell, Leeston. Officer of the Order: Roy Edwin Horwell, Bluff; Rodney James Love, Amberley; Andrea Jayne McLay, Christchurch; Lance Thomas Scott, South Canterbury; Karen Susan Sunckell, Leeston. Member of the Order: Deborah Joan Allfrey, Christchurch; Chu May Chan, Christchurch; Karyn Jane Coker, Christchurch; Winton Reginald Dalley, Waikari; Wyma Elizabeth Glassey, Bluff; Anne-Marie Hamilton, Riverton; Avan Hector Hammersley, Christchurch; Carol Marie Harding, Kurow; Rodger William Hilliker, Temuka; Johanna Lee Hodgkinson, Leithfield; Kevin John William Howley, Rangiora; Brett Alan James, Dunedin; Norma Josephine Lane, Auckland; Brendan Douglas McInnes, Christchurch; Ross Gilmore Meder, Darfield; Daniel Edvin Ohs, Rolleston; Robert Grant Palmer, Diamond Harbour; Marie Yvonne Paulsen, Waimauku; Carol Ann Price, Rangiora; Abbie Marie Provis, Hokitika; Andrew Sanderson, Paihia; Todd Malcolm Skilton, Wellington; Rochelle Maree Spencer, Ashburton; Nicola Anne Third, Dunedin; Jacquelyn Elizabeth Thorne, Paeroa; Lynda Mary Walter, Darfield; Craig Warwick Watts, Auckland; Carl Geoffrey Wilson, Christchurch; Shane Warren Wilson, Christchurch.