The Order of St John: The Priory in New Zealand YEARBOOK 2013 Contents Message from the Prior 1 Report of the Chancellor 2 Report of the Priory Secretary 3 Reports of the Hospitaller and Dean 4 Reports of the Registrar and Director of Ceremonies 5 Year in review 6 Governance 8 Grand Prior’s Award 9 Acknowledgements 10 Admissions and promotions 13 Service Medals and bars 14 Roll of the Order 17 FRONT COVER: Archives volunteers Russell Martin KStJ and Noeline Marks OStJ catalogue memorabilia of the late Sir Denis Blundell GCMG GCVO KBE QSO KStJ and June, Lady Blundell ONZ QSO GCStJ, gifted on long term loan to the Order of St John Archives by their son Richard Blundell OStJ. Cover also features the Arms of the Priory in New Zealand. The Arms of the Priory are those of the Order (a white Greek cross on a red shield with a Royal Badge in the first quarter) with green ferns in the centre of the cross. The Badge of the Order is shown behind the Arms. INSIDE COVER: A Commander’s badge. ST JOHN YEARBOOK 2013 | 1 MESSAGE FROM THE PRIOR Kia ora, ngā mihi ki a koutou. It is a great pleasure to once again introduce the St John has served New Zealanders since it was St John Yearbook at the end of my second year as established 128 years ago. The White Cross of St John is Prior of the Order of St John in New Zealand. the outward sign of this historical organisation. It is a powerful symbol recognised throughout the world. It This year I have had the pleasure of getting to know represents chivalry; the concept of a group of people more members of St John and the 2013 Yearbook sworn to provide Christian care and support to the provides another opportunity to recognise the poor and the sick. achievements of many St John members. St John members care for the sick and the poor through Through these pages, we celebrate those who have the organisation in many different ways. Whether you been admitted to or promoted in the Order of serve as volunteer ambulance officers, are active in St John, received service awards, and achieved Grand the Youth programme, the management of events, in Prior’s Awards. And the commitment that you all show to fundraising initiatives, training volunteers or in many the Order is acknowledged. of the behind-the-scenes roles that are a feature of St John thrives on the good deeds of people. I have been community organisations like ours, I thank you for the privileged to hear about many of these at a number of quality of your service and your commitment to St John. St John gatherings and events throughout the year – Your service reflects your character and commitment, including two Chapter meetings and investiture services and also does great credit to St John. You are role and at ceremonies to present the Grand Prior’s Award to models and in privileged positions of trust in your a number of young cadets. communities. Your actions are directly linked to the reputation of St John in New Zealand. As Prior, I thank you for all that you have done for the Order of St John. Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae GNZM QSO KStJ Prior and Governor-General of New Zealand 2 REPORT OF THE CHANCELLOR Further Phil Rankin has been appointed to the new role of Volunteer Advisor to Chapter and we are underway with establishing a committee to advise Phil and Chapter about how we can best look after our volunteers. I’d like to thank Judith Hoban who filled the role of Volunteers Director very well for many years, as well as being Hospitaller (a role she continues in). The work of St John internationally Internationally, St John continues to make great strides in meeting the needs of the sick and the suffering through first aid, healthcare and support services in over 40 countries around the world. At this year’s Grand Council it was agreed that Kenya should be established as a Priory (in December 2013) and that Singapore (in January 2014), Hong Kong and Malaysia start moving towards full Priory status. This gives St John International a far more global and entrepreneurial flavour. Garry Wilson KStJ, Chancellor The St John Eye Hospital Group, a cornerstone of the Order of St John, goes from strength to strength as it continues its sight-saving work, in Israel and Gaza. It has recently been recognised as a registered tertiary eye St John is a vibrant institution. organisation that continues St John is also looking towards new ways to harness our experience and reach to contribute to important to make a real difference international health goals. Mama na Mwana, a maternal new-born and child health programme, is the first of in communities around these to be launched in Africa. New Zealand. New Sub Prior Last year we welcomed Stuart Shilson from The Priory Being part of St John inspires people to help their of England and The Islands as Sub Prior and I expect fellow New Zealanders, but only if they can make that he will have a very positive contribution to make a real difference for their community. Whether it’s supporting St John around the world during his term. getting together to build a new ambulance station, New Lord Prior buy an ambulance or medical equipment or start a After many years of excellent service Professor Tony local youth or community service group. Mellows OBE TD will be standing down. Dr Neil Conn AO, I’d like to recognise and thank all Order members for the former Chancellor of the Priory for Australia, has been contribution that they have made over the past year. It appointed to the position of Lord Prior. may not always be recognised, but it is appreciated – by Transitioning to a new Chancellor our fellow New Zealanders. As I near the end of my second, very enjoyable, triennium Volunteer and Order member focus as Chancellor, I’m pleased to announce Dr Steve Evans Chapter has been involved in a review of St John’s KStJ as the new Chancellor elect. I will be working with strategy for the next five years. As a result we are Steve to make the transition to his new role seamless and focusing on, among other things, developing a strong wish him the very best as Chancellor. Order community. An Order Affairs Committee, headed by John Strachan, has been formed and tasked with looking at how we can better meet the needs of our Order members. ST JOHN YEARBOOK 2013 | 3 REPORT OF THE PRIORY SECRETARY The valuable contribution of our people (including volunteers and paid staff) is very much appreciated and underpins the values and traditions of the Order – to care for and be of service to others. We share a common objective and must continue to be focused on why we are here and why St John exists – to improve the lives and health of our patients, customers and communities. Strengthening the Order I have been in my role with St John for over a year now and have been humbled by the reception I have been given as I’ve travelled around the country meeting many of our wonderful people. I have felt privileged to contribute to the organisation in my roles, as both Chief Executive Officer and Priory Secretary to Priory Chapter and its Committees. One year in, I look forward to giving more focus to my Priory Secretary role and helping support initiatives to strengthen the Order and build a Peter Bradley CBE OStJ, Priory Secretary stronger sense of engagement with our Order members. We have made a number of improvements in the last year to the services we provide to our patients and customers, and have also strengthened aspects of the This Yearbook provides Order. We have improved our engagement with Chapter and they have played an important role in helping to an opportunity each and refresh the next five year strategy. Our honours process has been strengthened, as has the induction process every year to recognise the which clarifies what it means to be an active Order Member. We have established a new management role, service of many St John Head of Order Matters, to assist me and our Human Resources & Order Matters Director to give more focus personnel – including to the Order. And we have established a national Order Affairs Committee, and one in each Region, to better those who have received engage with our Order membership. various service awards Valuing service contribution I have enjoyed attending our investitures and local and been admitted to or award ceremonies and seeing a wide range of our people being recognised for their service – whether promoted in the Order. it be frontline ambulance and events, community programmes, Area Committees, medical alarms, first aid training, governance or support areas. The citations read out at investitures reinforce the calibre of those being admitted or promoted – recognising the diversity of valued contributions made to our Order here in New Zealand. Thank you to all of our people for their valuable contribution this past year – it is very much appreciated. 4 REPORTS OF THE HOSPITALLER AND DEAN Judith Hoban GCStJ, Hospitaller Monty Black CStJ, Priory Dean The St John Eye Hospital Group (SJEHG) Strategic Chaplaincy is continuing to develop within St John. Plan has four key areas of focus: The immediate focus has changed this year from • increasing levels of cataract surgery recruiting more chaplains to organising a chaplaincy • establishing a diabetic screening progamme service.