TRIBUTES TO NURSES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 264, 8 November 1945, Page 4

TRIBUTES TO NURSES

RETIREMENTS FROM TWO MATERNITY HOMES The Wanganui Registered Nurses’ Association arranged a delightful programme for the Sth annual gathering, held in the R.S.A. Hall on Tuesday evening. The occasion was aiso to honour Sisters M. E. Mcßeth and M. Park, of “Picardy” Maternity Hospital, who retire at the end of this month and are leaving Wanganui, also Miss Greer and Mrs. Wooding, of Obstetric Hospital, who have retired.

There was a large gathering, and Miss M. I. Lambie, 0.8. E., Director of Nursing for New Zealand, came up specially from Wellington to be present. The hall had been arranged as a lounge by Mrs. H. Rowell and Miss McNab, carpets, rugs, bright cushions, and many bowls of summer flowers and flowering shrub being used with good effect. The five-point-ed star, emblem of nursing, foi med a banner over the platform, which was decorated with greenery. Sister E. Willcox, who was presented with a spray by Miss E. Williams, , presided, and on behalf of the association extended a warm welcome to Miss Lambie and handed her a lovely bouquet. Miss Lambie, in replying to the welcome, said she was glad to come and pav a tribute to Sisters Mcßeth and Park for their long service in Wanganui. She mentioned their early days of training before World War I, and their service overseas. Sister Mcßeth going in 1915 and Sister Park in 1916. For 25 years they have given service in Wanganui, over 3000 babies having been born at “Picardy.”

Miss Lambie referred to the help given to other nurses by Sister McBeth, as well as to her patients. She had done many services in Wanganui and had also acted as examiner for the State Flo. pital and Midwifery examinations. The speaker also referred to the training and work of Sister Greer, and also of Mrs. Wooding, who joined Sister Greer some time after she took over “Cairnbrae,” when Sisters Williams and Preston retired. In referring to the professioi., Miss Lambie said 25 years ago obstetrics was not what it is to-day. Those who practised their profession over this period carried a considerable load. Now they have come to a new turning from private to public hospital control. During the war years wages have risen and everything ha risen and there has been staff short-

The Sisters bad given their best with a very devoted sense of duty. It was up to the rising generation of nurses to give the same love and service and live up to the standards so truly exainpled by these women who had done such wonderful work down the years. In giving that service they had won a great pleasure for themselves and had earned the love and esteem of all. She wished them every happiness possible in their retirement. In presenting Sisters Park and McBeth with parting gifts and flowers from the association, Sis'.er Wilcox said al] were very sorry they were leaving the di trict. The guests of honour were accorded musical honours. Sisters Mcßeth and Park suitably replied, thanking Ihe -assocta'lon for the gifts, and Miss Lambie for the vo v kind things she had said. Mrs. Beaumont Bate? proposed a vote of thanks and paid a tributt- to the guests of lhe evening. Mrs. Tippins. of “Riverlea” maternity home and Miss Jewist. Inspc<*'or of Health for the Wanganui district, we e among those nresenL Miss H. Williams thanked the artists for the very enjoyable programme,

which comprised songs by Mrs. Russell Scoular, instrumental trios by Mesdames Perkins. Saunders, and Miss Collier, and a sketch, “Bunkered.” given by Miss Warnock and Mrs. H. Gilberd. Miss Collier was the accompanist. Beautiful flowers, arranged in novel silver paper boats, were presented to the artists. A delicious savoury supper was sorted and a very happy gathering concluded with the singing of “ Xu.ld Lang Syne.”