“You do get a lot back from actually giving your time.”
Tākaka volunteer paramedic Joan Reilly has served almost two decades with Hato Hone St John and was recently recognised for her selfless determination for the good of Golden Bay.
The 74-year-old was appointed a Member of the Order of St John by St John Chancellor, John Whitehead, at Christchurch’s Transitional Cardboard Cathedral in early May.
Joan first joined St John in 2005, four years before hanging up her stethoscope at the town’s Rural Service Centre and Vet Clinic.
She says she was “very honoured” to be recognised.
“You don’t expect anything back, but it’s always nice when something does come back,” she says.
“It’s just something that you feel is the right thing to do, and you get as much out of giving as you do receiving… my work is for the Golden Bay community.”
Joan says she started in St John providing first aid, but due to its similarities to caring for animals, she decided to take the next step and completed a paramedicine degree at Whitireia in Porirua in 2014.
“I love the ability to be able to give back to people that you actually know… I know a lot of the people [in Golden Bay] from working as a vet. For anyone out there that would like to give back to that community, then it’s something worth considering.”
She plans to continue responding to her 150 callouts a year for as long as she’s able.
St John says Joan is sincere, committed, and passionate, constantly giving back to her Tākaka and Collingwood teammates and volunteers by offering practical and supportive advice.
“Joan commits many hours to supporting the Tākaka frontline ambulance service and is willing to impart her knowledge and experience to those alongside her,” it says.
“She is a mentor and supportive team member in Tākaka and Golden Bay.”
