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Five members of two Hibiscus Coast families have been honoured for a combined 140 years of service to Hato Hone St John, an achievement highlighting their multigenerational contributions to the community.
At an event in Silverdale on July 2, Barbara Everiss, 67, of Ōrewa received a medal for 50 years of service – although all told, she has been attached to St John in Hibiscus Coast for almost 54 years, since beginning as a cadet in 1969.
That service has included 20 years as a voluntary ambulance officer, more than 40 years as a member of the area committee – she’s just been re-elected for another three-year term – and custodian of the hall in Silverdale.
Barbara sits at the centre of three generations of St John volunteers. Her mother, Margaret Christie, was involved until the age of 94. She turns 100 in September.
Barbara’s son Andrew, 39, was recognised for 20 years’ service, including 10 years as a frontline paramedic, and more than a decade in management positions. He is now district operations manager for Auckland.
Barbara was first introduced to St John by friends in the 1960s, when the division was based “in the little scout den down the other end of Ōrewa beach”. It later moved to leaking premises in Silverdale until those blew down in severe storms in 1978, and the current facility was built.
“It’s a wonderful organisation to belong to, and one which generations of family get hooked on – it gets into your blood,” she said. “I couldn’t imagine life without it.”
“I have loved every day of my career to date,” said Andrew Everiss. “It is never lost on me that we have a unique privilege to walk into a complete stranger’s life at the worst possible time and make a positive difference. It’s an amazing opportunity.”
“The recognition of 20 years’ service is special, standing next to mum getting her 50 years’ service medal is the real privilege,” he said. “The example that she has set for our family regarding service to the community has been paramount in my career, and the drive to do the best we can for our patients.”
Also honoured for their contributions were three members of the Graham family: Margaret, 63, of Red Beach was recognised for 35 years as a volunteer, while her husband Andrew, 62, received a 25-year medal and their 41-year-old daughter Helen Graham-Shore a medal marking 10 years.
Margaret, also a member of the area committee, has a comparable history of family service: Her grandfather was an ambulance driver, Margaret became a cadet aged 11 in 1971, her daughter Helen has been volunteering for a decade, and all seven of Margaret’s grandchildren are also involved.
Margaret’s husband Andrew began volunteering on the ambulances in the mid-1990s in Wellsford, where he was a high school teacher.
It could be hard at times, she recalled. “You’d get a call out in the middle of the night and you’d never know who you’re going out to. At school the next day somebody says, ‘so-and-so is not at school’ and you’re thinking, yeah, no, he’s not coming.”
Andrew is currently St John’s clinical programme and moderation manager.
“Why do we do it? Because of the knowledge we can pass on to others,” Margaret said.
“We just love it,” Barbara agreed. “We don’t ask for rewards, but it is nice to be honoured.”
