Hato Hone St John members Paul Thomas, Graeme Mangin and Alison Hewson have given, collectively, more than 110 years service to the organisation.
They were among those recently acknowledged at an annual award ceremony in Ashburton.
Eighty-six-year-old Paul Thomas got involved with the organisation 45 years ago when his daughter joined.
He and wife Maureen would take their daughter to weekly activities and he became a parent helper.
At the time he worked at the freezing works and did a first aid course with the organisation so someone on his shift had the first aid skills if needed.
‘‘I got my first aid certificate and then joined the team that provided first aid at public events like the races, football and hockey games, stock car meets and other general sporting fixtures.
“That’s how it all got stared and I have been there ever since,’’ he said.
‘‘I got quite keen on the whole St John thing and worked on the ambulances,’’ Paul said.
For 15 years he was a volunteer with the patient transfer service and front line service.
In 2002, Paul joined the area committee who provide governance to St John. It’s a position he still holds today.
Paul’s citation for his 45-years of service said ‘‘Paul was a valued member of the area committee.
‘‘Paul became the chairperson in 2014, demonstrating sound leadership and direction.
‘‘He was instrumental in the set-up of the retail store and chaired the promotions and welfare subcommittee. He continued as chairperson until the Mid Canterbury combined area committee was set up at the end of 2021’’.
In 2011 he was approached to take on a role of chaplain with the organisation. He is one of small number of chaplains across Canterbury.
In the chaplaincy role he can be called on to undertake a number of activities from blessing new buildings for St John, dedicating ambulances, providing welfare and pastoral care to all in St John and their families and he has even been asked to take a couple of funerals.
Paul is a member of the St John Fellowship
Over his long service with the organisation he said one of the highlights was being part of the team that attend a Tina Turner concert in Christchurch and he has enjoyed attending the stock car meets.
‘‘I have enjoyed the friendships made through St John with many being for life.
‘‘I enjoy doing things in the community and it’s on my radar to do for others,’’ Paul said.
Along with St John he has been involved with Victim Support including 10 years in the homicide group, 20 years with Inter-church Trade & Industry Mission and 25 years with St Vincent de Paul especially with the food bank.
Paul was recognised for his outstanding contribution to St John with admittance to The Order in 2010 and promotion to Officer in 2018.
Former Methven resident Graeme Mangin, now of Selwyn, was recognised at the awards event for 40 years of service.
He began his journey in 1982 as a Methven area committee member and over the years has held many governance and advisory roles.
As well as his dedication to committee role, he has also served on the Northern Region South Island trust board from 2002 to 2011.
He was on the amalgamated South Island Region trust board from 2011 to 2014 and the Priory Chapter from 2004 to 2011.
Graeme was a key member of the Ashburton Health Shuttle team from 2012 to 2018 and also worked as a cleaner for Methven station until 2024.
Alison Hewson has served with St John for 30 years. She joined as a volunteer ambulance and events officer in Ashburton.
In 2004, Hewson began as a patient transport officer, a role she held until 2008 when she joined the operations team on the frontline ambulances. Alison holds an authority to practice at paramedic level and is the station stores portfolio holder
Alongside these three members 29 other members received five-year certificates 10-year service medals, 15- and 20-year bars, and Robyn Searle from Selwyn received her gold service medal for 50 years.
