Deborah Dillon and Martinius Pepers
Deborah Dillon, and Mr Martinius Pepers, of Stewart Island, received the Queen's Service Medal for services to nursing and the community. Mrs Dillon and Mr Pepers have served as the only Nurse Practitioners on Stewart Island for more than 15 years. As the island does not have a resident doctor, Mrs Dillon and Mr Pepers have provided a rostered 24 hour, seven-day-a-week care for more than 400 residents and 40,000 summer season tourists. This work includes maternity care, geriatric care, school visits, search and rescue, acute trauma management, counselling, and palliative care. The island’s isolated environment means crucial patient care decisions need to be made, and their caring and decisive analysis of patient needs has saved many lives. Mrs Dillon is also involved in community activities, including the Stewart Island Players, a sewing group, and organises fortnightly film evenings.