Red Cross Award For Director Of Nursing

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29000, 15 September 1959, Page 2

Red Cross Award For Director Of Nursing

"The Press" Special Service

WELLINGTON, September 14.

One of the highest awards in nursing—the Florence Nightingale, Medal of the International Red Cross Society—was presented to the director-general of nursing services, Miss F. J. Cameron, at the nursing graduation ceremony held in conjunction with the annual . Dominion conference of the New Zealand Red Cross Society in Gisborne this month.

The presentation was made by Sir Alexander Gillies, president of the New Zealand Red Cross Society, who said he had never felt more proud of the nursing profession. In acknowledging the award Miss Cameron said she felt deeply honoured; she accepted the medal humbly on behalf of members of the nursing profession, who, she felt confident, would emulate the spirit of Florence Nightingale. The conference was opened by the Prime Minister, Mr Nash. Conference Activities

Many organisations assisted in the preparation of a welcome to the delegates. Members of the Victoria League, as well as giving an evening reception, spent considerable time and effort decorating the War Memorial Hall with magnificent floral arrangements which were maintained through the week by members of the Poverty Bay gardening circle. Morning and afternoon tea was provided-during the conference by the Maori Women’s Welfare League, Catholic Women's League. P. and T. Women's League, Returned Services! Association and the Second N.Z.E.F. Association.

Delegates were also the guests of the Cook Hospital and were entertained at afternoon tea in the nurses’ home.

Symbolic Lamp

During the nursing graduation ceremony a lamp burnt on a table, symbolic of the spirit of Florence Nightingale. Other lights were extinguished, the only illumination being from the flame of the lamp on the table. As each graduate responded to her name she mounted the stage with a candle and lit it from the lamp. Delegates from Christchurch who represented the North Canterbury centre at the conference were Mrs R. J. Sontgen and Mr A. L. B. Ross. Mrs R. I. Brake (president, North Canterbury centre) attended as a member of the Dominion executive. The Dominion executive approved the recommendation of the North Canterbury centre to bestow the award of counsellor of honour, the highest New Zealand Red Cross award, on Miss Margaret C. Bain. Miss Bain, who has been an active member of the society since 1914, is in charge of the cooking, serving and transport of meals under the Good Neighbour service in Christchurch. Officers Officers elected at the conference were:— Patron, the Governor-General, Lord Cobham; president of honour, Lady Cobham; president, Sir Alexander Gillies; chairman, Mr E. Gibbad; treasurer, Mr N. Lee, Masterton; vice-presidents, the Mayors of Greymouth, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin; executive, Mrs R. I. Brake, Christchurch, the Rev. G. V. Daly, Geraldine, Mr E. H. de Joux, Upper Hutt, Mr O. L. Ferens, Dunedin, Mr P. L. Fowler, Gisborne, the Rev. K. M. Ihaka, Lower Hutt, Mrs A. H. Hope, Taupo, Mrs J. Jarvis, New Plymouth. Miss M. Magill, Eastbourne, Mr W’. P Newton, Napier, Mr M. A. Raymond. Timaru, Mr R. A. Watson. Auckland; Red Cross Commissioner in United Kingdom, Sir Arthur E. Porritt: assistant commissioner. Miss V. Russell: Governor of the league, Sir Alexander Gillies.