YEARS OF SERVICE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22835, 20 March 1936, Page 6

YEARS OF SERVICE

DISTRICT NURSE HONOURED GRATITUDE OF COMMUNITY A social gathering attended by the Mayor (the Rev. E. T. Cox) and representatives of the Otago Hospital Board and other local bodies was held last evening in the Somerset Lounge of the Savoy for the purpose of recognising the services of Nurse E. Barclay, who is retiring after 31 years’ service as a district nurse in the St. John Ambu- r lance Association.

Mr John Ash, vice-president of the Association in Dunedin, extended a welcome to all and invited the Mayor to take the chair.

The Mayor said the occasion made the meeting a memorable one in the history of the St. John Ambulance Association. He did not need to dwell on the great work done by the Order, which was probably the oldest Order in existence. They had met to do honour to one who had served in this city for 31 years, working mostly in the service of those unable to pay for it. She had rendered noble service, carrying on the ideals and traditions which were more than centuries old. Though Nurse Barclay was retiring, the work was not to stop, as it was intended to engage another nurse next year if funds permitted. Mr Cox went on to speak of the interest taken in the Order here by Dr A. R. Falconer, whose hope it was to have a nurse in each suburb. No one know how much work was done in the city by these nurses. He did not expect that even Nurse Barclay could say to how many families she had rendered service.

Mr Ash said Nurse Barclay’s work had been extremely extensive. There were three district nurses in Dunedin, and last year they had paid a total of 5550 visits. They had to go out in all weathers, do difficult work practically without relaxation, and on very meagre pay. it was fitting that the people of Dunedin should know something of this work. They were sorry to lose Nurse Barclay, but it had to be admitted that she had earned a rest. Institutions such as this had a strong influence in the community, despite the claim made by many that such services should be controlled by the Government. There was the ideal of service to the community behind the work. He read letters from ex-District Nurse Torrance, Mias M‘Nab, hospital hostess, and from people whom she had helped. He also referred to Nurse Barclay’s war work in England and France during the years 1014-1919.

Speaking on behalf of the Otago Hospital Board, Mr J. W. Dove said he wished to pay a tribute to the work of Nurse Barclay in the past and the work which was being carried on all the time by the Order. If the St. John Ambulance Association were to go by the board, the community would be losing one of the most valuable organisations of to-day. He spoke of the ambulance service, which was provided largely by voluntary support, subsidised to the extent of £BOO per year by the Otago Hospital Board. All right-think-ing people should he ready to listen to the appeal of St. John and give their support. Nurse Barclay was retiring with the weight of years on her shoulders, but she had the memory of a glorious record of service. He spoke of Dr Falconer’s efforts to extend the district nursing scheme, and said that there would shortly be a nurse stationed in South Dunedin, and he was confident that there would be more before long. On bebalf of the association. Dr A. R. Falconer presented Nurse Barclay with a cheque and spoke briefly of the history of the association in Dunedin. The Rev. V. G. Bryan King said he had known Nurse Barclay since before either of them had come to New Zealand, and since they had been in Dunedin he had been closely associated with her work. He paid a high tribute to her as a, nurse and as a social worker. Dr Marion Whyte said the best thing that could be said of a person who was retiring was in the words of the parable of the talents, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” This was especially true of Nurse Barclay, who had carried on her work so successfully for so many years. She hoped that in her retirement Nurse Barclay would reap the reward of her work. She had real friends in every part of the city who would wish her in her retirement all that was good and all that,was happy. Bishop Fitchett added his congratulations to Nurse Barclay on her excellent record of service and expressed the hope that she would enjoy a long and happy retirement.

Mr J. Jacobs, secretary of the Otago Hospital Board, also spoke. Replying for Nurse Barclay, Mr A. Williamson expressed appreciation of the tributes that had been paid her by the various speakers. Nurse Barclay, had been trained at the Dunedin Hospital and had subsequently been matron of the Greymouth Hospital. Later she had returned to Dunedin to take up private nursing work and had then joined the St. John Ambulance Association ns district nurse.

During the evening items were presented by the following:—Pianoforte solo, Miss M. M’Dowell; songs, Dr J. Thomson and Mr M'Dowell; recitation, Miss K. Falconer.