Otago nurses celebrate 100 years.

More than 70 NZNO members and retired nurses from throughout Otago/Southland celebrated 100 years since the founding of the Dunedin Trained Nurses' Association at a celebratory dinner at the end of June. The celebration was officially opened by local labour MP David Benson-Pope, with NZNO regional chairperson Jo Thomson acting as spokesperson for the evening.

Two guest speakers, Margaret Favell and Pat Webster, spoke on the history of NZNA/NZNU/ NZNO, with Webster taking as her theme "the more things change, the more they stay the same". Webster is a former district nurse and rest-home manager, now half-time training coordinator for Presbyterian Support. "Do not underestimate the power of nursing and caring," she said. "People who are unwell want simple things like cool hands, a gentle touch and a calm demeanor. They need nurses who are well educated and wise, who understand hurt and pain, and the ways of people and the world." During the evening, photos, old uniforms, stories and books were on display around the room at the Carisbrook Corporate Complex, with entertainment provided by a singing quartet. NZNO president Marion Guy presented the Nursing Education Research Foundation's Flora Cameron Award for Excellence in Practice to Dunedin Hospital clinical nurse co-ordinator Ann Patton. The $1000 award recognises the importance of further education in helping nurses achieve at a postgraduate level and enhance their practice. Patton said she was very excited and grateful to receive the award. She will be putting it toward furthering her postgraduate diploma in nursing practice. The centennial cake was cut by Alwyn landreth from Cromwell, who graduated in 1946, and Carol Drinkwater from Balclutha, who graduated in 2000.