ST. JOHN AMBULANCE
BRIGADE AND NURSING DIVISION GRATIFYING RESPONSE FIRST LECTURE GIVEN The first parade of the Opotiki St. John Ambulance . Brigade and Nursing Division held last night in the Maori Mission Hall was attended by 45 persons, of whom 43 volunteered to join the Brigade and Nursing Division. Another three men have signified their intention of joining the Brigade, although they were not able to be present last night, and this will make the total strength 46. Those present were representative of all age groups, and included nine representatives of the Maori people. The volunteers, comprised 25 men and 18 women, many of whom have had considerable previous experience in ambulance work. One member, Mr, C. G. Calvert is an
ex-superintendent of a brigade, ■another member, Mr. T. Delamcre Mr. Williams, Mr. J. Akurangi and Mr. John Black served with the Medical Section cl the Maori Battalion overseas, Mr. D, Huggett served with a territorial medical unit, and Mr. J. Talbot has had several years’ experience in first-aid work. In the Nursing Division, Mrs. I. Grant and Mrs. Ericksen will prove .particularly valuable to the movement, while others have also had experience in Red Cross work. The Mayor, Mr. T, G. Johnson, who is also president of the St. John Ambulance Association, was in attendance. In opening proceedings, Mr. C. G. Calvert, chairman of the committee expressed appreciation of the very fine response to the call for volunteers. He expressed the hope that an ambulance would soon be available to further the work of the brigade.
Measurements of members of the Brigade were taken by Mr. S. N. Chatfield, so that Air Force uniforms may be provided. These are made available to St. John Ambulance Associations at a very low cost. It is hoped that arrangements will shortly be discussed for providing, the Nursing Division with the usual grey uniform.
The first lecture was given by. Dr. D. Meredith, who outlined the main field of work of the brigade. He stated that the first lecture might piove a little uninteresting, but subsequent lectures would become more practical and should prove of great interest. Dr. C. S. James has offered to act as examiner, while Miss Gillespie has also offered assistance. A meeting of the committee of the association will be held in the Borough Council Chambers on Wednesday at 8 p.m. On Saturday night a number of representatives of the Opotiki Association and Brigade and Nursing Division visited Whakatane for the annual inspection. Those on parade numbered about 80 from various Whakatane Brigades, Nursing Divisions and junior divisions.
The inspection was carried out by officers of the South Auckland St. John Ambulance Association, who addressed the gathering on the importance of the work being done by the brigades. They congratulated Opotiki on its move to form an association. Mr. B. S. Barry, Mayor of Whakatane and Mr. T. G. Johnson, Mayor of Opotiki also addressed the gathering. An interesting talk was given by Dr. E. T. Dawson, who spoke highly of the skill displayed by the Whakatane Brigade in, handling, patients, and of the valuable assistance given to the doctors and the Hospital Board. At the conclusion of the inspection representatives from the South Auckland Association conferred with Opotiki representatives and much useful advice and information was given.
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Opotiki News, Volume X, Issue 1051, 2 December 1947, Page 2
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549ST. JOHN AMBULANCE Opotiki News, Volume X, Issue 1051, 2 December 1947, Page 2
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