PLUNKET SOCIETY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 10486, 21 December 1929, Page 1

PLUNKET SOCIETY.

GERALDINE BRANCH. NURSE ROGERSON FAREWELLED. There was a very large gathering of mothers and children at the Geraldine Parish Hall on Wednesday afternoon, to farewell Nurse Rogerson, and welcome Nurse Sutherland. Mrs M. S. Barker occupied the chair, and was supported on the platform by Mesdames J. S. Barker, J. M. H. Tripp, G. A. M. Macdonald, Mr T. H. Bannehr, and the two Nurses. The ladies of the committee had decorated the hall with a profusion of flowers, greenery, ferns, etc. Mrs Barker said she had been asked, on behialf of the mothers of the Geraldine district, to express their appreciation of Nurse Rogerson’s work amongst them during the past four and a-half years. She had also messages from other mothers who lived out in the country, expressing their gratitude, and writing how much they would have liked to be present to see the Nurse and to meet her successor, Nurse Sutherland; but shearing time was on. and they could not get away. Nurse Rogerson had been a great Help to them in many ways, and she was a blessing to the young and inexperienced mother with her first baby. She knew her work from A to Z, and could usually prescribe some simple remedy which everybody had in their kitchen cupboard —a great factor to those who lived miles from the nearest store. Anyone who had the misfortune to have a sick or ailing child would, she was sure, agree that no one could be more sympathetic land patient with an anxious mother, or more unsparing in her efforts to restore

health. She had heard praise on all sides, and expressions of regret that they were losing her. They had all been so glad when Nurse Rogerson got her new car last year, for it must have saved her a lot of extrafatigue, for she hiad always come regularly, however bad the weather was, and had on more than one occasion got stuck in a flooded creek and had to borrow clothes to go home in. The Plunket Rest. Rooms in Geraldine were indeed a pleasure to visit, and although they owed a lot to the committee which had helped to furnish them, the Nurse should be complimented on the result. She had kept them so fresh and dainty, and was always out to make them more attractive with the pretty little garden she had made. She hoped tha-t Nurse Sutherland would forgive them if she had Nurse Rogerson Quoted to her on all sides for a little while; but she left sure that she would be just as helpful a friend when they got to know her. Everyone had been so willing to give Nurse Rogerson something, that they had recieved far more money than they liked the responsibility of spending, and so had decided to give a part of it to Nurse in a cheque, with which to purchase something she had always wanted, but had never felt justified in getting, as a Christmas present and parting gift from them all, with every good wish for the future, a.nd perhaps the twins which she was always wishing on to them. (Laughter). On behalf of the babies, who were just as fond of Nurse as she was of them, they had bought her a travelling clock, as proof that they bore no malice towards her for the firmness over such trifling matters as “dummies” and being picked up whether they liked it or not. Mrs Barker then asked “Auntie Plunket” to come forward and take the -small token of goodwill they had to offer her. After the presentation had been made, Nurse Rogerson replied, expressing herself as heartily gratified at what had been said about her, which she deeply appreciated. She said that if she came back to Geraldine some day, it would give her the greatest pleasure to meet them all again. Three hear’.y cheers were given for the Nurse, and all joined in singing “For She’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” Mrs Tripp, president of the Society, speaking on behalf of the committee, said it was hard to believe that four years and eight months had gone since they had welcomed Nurse Rogerson. Those present would remember their sorrow at parting with Nurse Cameron, and the doubts they had had at being able to replace her. They had then formed Geraldine into a separate branch, and had a new Nurse and a new car. They had safely negotiated the many pitfalls, and difficulties with which they had had to contend, and this was partly due to the committee, but mostly to Nurse Rogerson, who had proved an I excellent and efficient Nurse. On looking back, it was evident that

their growth had been real and progressive. In the year ending May, 1925, ISS6 visits were paid to homes, -and in 1929 the number of visits was 2394. Visits to the office had been 644 in 1925, and 1831 in 1929. In addition to this, advices by telephone had numbered 570. During the years she had been with them, Nurse Rogerson had welcomed 300 new babies. They would all agree that this was a record anyone might be proud of. As representing the committee, Mrs Tripp continued, she was glad of the opportunity of thanking Nurse Rogerson for her loyalty to them, and if they ever had to impose their will over that of the Nurse, she had answered the helm loyally, realising that they were all working for the same ideals—for the welfare of mothers and babies. Mrs Tripp then presented Nurse Rogerson with a travelling rug and a suitcase, as a slight token of their appreciation of her services. Nurse Sutherland, she said, had friends in South Canterbury, and was prepared to make her home with them. She had excellent testimonials, including an unsolicited one from Dr. Williams, of Dunedin, who said she was a treasure, and that he hoped to get her back in two years’ time. The Nurse was unused to district work, and she asked mothers to do their utmost to lighten her work and help to got her to know the district. Nurse Sutherland said she knew it would be difficult to follow. Nurse Rogerson, but she would do her best. (Applause). Afternoon tea was then served, and many mothers took the opportunity of saying good-bye to Nurse Rogerson.