OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 94, 11 September 1950, Page 4

OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY

“I have much pleasure in stating that it has been a year of outstanding service to the community. All tov/n and country Brigades under the Association’s jurisdiction have worked very hard and have carried out their duties with a smothness and efficiency that has earned my utmost admiration,” writes the chairman of the St. John’s Ambulance Association, Mr A. J. Canning, in the report covering the year ended June 30, which he will present to the annual meeting at Whakatane on Thursday.

Reports from Superintendents of the various Divisions from Whakatane and districts will illustrate the immense amount of time and effort that has been put into training and attending sports meetings and manning the Ambulance in order to render first aid where and when required. The ambulance duties during the year have been very heavy, entailing many long trips to such places as Hamilton, Auckland and Gisborne. New Brigade Formed

During the year a Division was formed at the Matahina branch of the Whakatane Board Mills and I am very pleased to report that members of this Division are very keen and are under the capable guidance of Mr W. S. Anderson. I welcome this Division into our organisation and express my appreciation of the encouragement given by the management of the Mill. It is a source of pleasure to my association to know that in the event of an accident in the bush, capable first aid is now available. The Whakatane Board Mills have now an ambulance and first aid room fully manned and equipped. Only Income

The members of the St. John’s Ambulance Brigade give all their services free, the only income the organisation receives is from honorary members and from one annual Appeal Day. These funds are required to keep the Ambulance Brigade in medicines—“Zambuck” bandages, splints, etc. New Uniforms

The Brigade and Nursing Divisions require new uniforms, and as the Borough Council has granted us Friday, December 1 for our annual appeal day in the Strand for funds to help us to carry on the good work for another year, I appeal to all residents in the Borough and County to send us their donations and so enable us to carry out our humanitarian work among the sick and injured. Help to Hospital

I will leave it to the Superintendent of the various Brigades to port in detail concerning their various activities and I am sure you will be amazed at the great amount of work carried out by them during the year. However, in passing I would like specially to mention that the Whakatane Brigade has helped out to no small extent at the hospital during the present period of acute staff shortage. It was never contemplated that First Aiders would ever be called on for this type of duty, but I am pleased to know that these special duties have been carried out with credit and distinction.. First Aid Classes

My thanks are due to Mr A. Carling and Mr E. J. Ramson, for taking First Aid classes during the year, also to Mrs Hannah and the Nursing Division for their assistance. At one time these classes were taken by doctors, but owing to pressure of work the services of doctors are not available at the present time. However doctors have been very good in making time available to conduct examinations, in giving advice where required and in giving lectures of a special nature.

Our splendid hall has again proved its worth in providing facilities for training and has been a big factor in enabling the greatly increased demands on our personnel to be met.

Cadet Divisions Strong We have a strong Cadet Ambulance Division and a strong Cadet Nursing Division, and the training of these young people ensures the continuity of our work. I sincerely thank those who are giving so much of their time and efforts in training these young people and who are doing the job so thoroughly. I am pleased to report that our finances are in a satisfactory position. Although all services are given voluntarily, our organisation cannot be carried on without money. Our present activities have only been possible by the splendid financial support given to us by the public and I feel sure we can count on the continuance of this fine co-opera-tion. « Thanks to Secretary I would now like to offer a special word of praise to our worthy

secretary, Mr J. W. G. Smith. During the last year Mr Smith has served us diligently and conscientiously and has worked very hard to ensure the smooth and efficient working of our association. On behalf of every member of our organisation l wish to express my thanks and appreciation to him. I now appeal to everyone to remain solidly behind our association, as a strong association is the key to a strong organisation. In conclusion, may I again appeal to every member of our organisation for the same loyalty and devotion to duty during the ensuing year as was given during the past year. If this is done I am sure we cannot help but go from strength to strength in the cause of humanity.