Hato Hone St John is privileged to thank our committed funders through the Priory Vote of Thanks (PVOT) certificate ceremony held in Dunedin today (Monday 5 September 2022).
Aotearoa Gaming Trust (formerly The Southern Trust), Otago Community Trust, and Perpetual Medical Services Trust (managed by Perpetual Guardian) were presented the special award - authorised by Hato Hone St John Prior, Her Excellency the Rt Hon Fame Patsy Reddy GNZM QSO DStJ, and recommended for the PVOT certificate by the St John Priory Chapter - at a special ceremony in Dunedin.
PVOT is one of the organisation’s highest honours awarded to trusts, foundations, institutions, businesses, or individuals for their long-standing relationship and exceptional support to the work of Hato Hone St John.
Debbie Zwies, Hato Hone St John Fundraising and Marketing Manager says because of the support of our invaluable funders, we can make life-changing differences in our communities.
“Working together, we think we can make life better for New Zealanders by helping to improve their welfare and wellbeing," Debbie says.
"Aotearoa Gaming Trust has supported St John for about a decade to purchase both lifesaving equipment and vehicles, with their most recent grant supporting the purchase of an ambulance in Invercargill and fully funding an ambulance for Rotorua. We are incredibly grateful for their support and partnership with us across Aotearoa, thank you.”
The certificate was received by Steve Bennet, grants manager on behalf of the Trust.
The Otago Community Trust has funded ambulance service equipment and vehicles since 2012, with the most recent grant contribution toward a new First Response Unit for Wanaka, joining the fleet in 2022. It was also a major funder of Hato Hone St John building projects, with the recent one for the Cromwell Ambulance Station.
Otago Community Trust Grants Manager Sue Stewart received the certificate on behalf of the Trust.
“The support we receive from the Trust in the Otago region is both valuable and critical to service delivery and equity of care in the area,” Debbie says.
Meanwhile the Perpetual Medical Services Trust has funded the purchase of several defibrillators and supported the Health Shuttle services for more than a decade.
“Their longstanding support has enabled lifesaving equipment and services to be purchased for Southland and Otago. The support we receive from the Perpetual Medical Trust in the Otago region is both valuable and critical to service delivery and equity of care in the area.”
Brett James (Branch Manager) and Mark Wilkinson (Client manager) joined the event to receive the certificate.
There were 26 Priory Votes of Thanks awarded nationally in New Zealand and 11 of the recipients were from the South Island. Priory Votes of Thanks are illuminated certificates signed by our Prior (the Governor-General) and by the Chancellor and sealed with the Priory Seal. The first Priory Vote of Thanks in New Zealand was awarded in 1910.
-ENDS-
ABOUT ST JOHN:
St John provides emergency ambulance services to 90 percent of New Zealanders and covers 97 percent of the country’s geographical area.
St John is made up of a mix of full-time paid employees and volunteer staff
Along with the emergency ambulance service, St John operates a significant number of community health programmes, social enterprises and other activities which help build community resilience.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR IMAGES CONTACT:
Amy Milne
St John External Communications Specialist
M 027 5037523
E amy.milne@stjohn.org.nz
Or
St John media team
media@stjohn.org.nz