TRAINEES HONOURED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 69, 3 May 1946, Page 5

TRAINEES HONOURED

WHAKATANE HOSPITAL FUNCTION

A UNIQUE OCCASION

The first three trainees to sit for examinations at the Whakatane Public Hospital, since that institution has been warranted as a training centre did so last Wednesday. They were Nurses Goodwin, Atwdod and Petty. In order to mark the occasion, some thirty guests were entertained at a social evening sponsored by the nursing staff of the hospital, which took place at the Nurses home on Wednesday night.. Also included in the guests of honour were a number of maternity trainees, who are at present studying with the object of sitting for a forthcoming examination.

The large sitting room, which had been cleared for dancing was very prettily decorated for the occasion with greenery, fern fronds, autumn flowers and strings of coloured electric light bulbs. Music emanated from piano and drums at the touch of numerous exponents during the evening, and the atmosphere of gaiety which obtained throughout, was due in no small measure to the activities of Dr. Dawson, who acted as Master of Ceremonies. Bouquets Presented Shortly before the sumptuous home cooked supper which had been prepared was served, bouquets and floral posies were presented to the

guests of honour. Mr J. Mullins, Chairman of the Whakatane Hospital Board, prefaced this ceremony with some appropriate remarks. “It is my pleasure and my privilege,” he said, “to be here with you tonight on such a memorable occasion. It is definitely one which calls for jollification. After any period of concentrated study, a function such as this, serves to help bring back the feeling of relaxation, so necessary, where work of an ex-

acting nature is required.” Continuing Mr Mullins said that it had been felt that some tribute should be paid to the trainees who saw fit to sit for their examinations. He extended his congratulations, and the best wishes of the company for satisfactory results. He also mentioned the maternity trainees who were studying under tutorship, and said that he felt it was in order that their work should also receive acknowledgment. Matron Runciman then presented bouquets and extended her congratulations to Nurse Goodwin, Nurse Petty and Nurse Atwood, who were accorded musical honours and cheers. She also presented floral posies to maternity trainees in the persons of Nurses Murray, Graham, Mead, Taylor, Long, D. Edie and F. Edie.

The gathering then adjourned to the supper room, where tables laden with good things greeted the eyes of the guests. Those responsible for its preparation must certainly be congratulated. Trainees Respond

Imntfediate after supper, Nurse F. Edie, on behalf of the maternity trainees extended thanks to those who had sponsored the evening. It was, she said, a generous gesture, and she trusted that when the results of the v forthcoming examinations were published those who sat would prove to be a credit to their tutors, Dr. Dawson and Sister Harding. The guests, of honour then accorded musical honours to those assembled.

Replying, Dr. Dawson extended his best wishes for their successful passing the examinations, and trusted that when they left Whakatane for institutions in other centres, they would not forget the town where they had received their training.

Dancing then continued, and the evening finally concluded with the National Anthem.