Speech
Florence Nightingale Medal Presentation
May I begin by greeting everyone in the languages of the realm of New Zealand - English, Maori, Cook Island Maori, Niuean, Tokelauan and New Zealand Sign Language.
Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and as it is the afternoon (Sign)
May I specifically greet you: Penny Mason and John Ware, National President and Chief Executive respectively of New Zealand Red Cross; Marianne Whittington, Award recipient; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen.
On behalf of my wife Susan and myself, welcome to Government House in Wellington for this presentation of Florence Nightingale Medal to Marianne Whittington.
As Patron of New Zealand Red Cross, I have been asked to present this award to Marianne, but before I do I would like to briefly speak to its significance.
The Medal is the highest honour within the international Red Cross Red Crescent Movement for the nursing community and is awarded to those who distinguish themselves in times of peace or war by showing exceptional courage and devotion to the wounded, sick or disabled or to civilian victims of conflict or disaster.
I am advised that the International Committee of the Red Cross awards about 50 Florence Nightingale Medals worldwide every two years.
From its formation more than 140 years ago, the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement has been guided by seven fundamental principles—humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.
In reading the citation for Ms Whittington's award, I was immediately struck by how her service has exemplified those principles and the work of Florence Nightingale herself.
Graduating as a registered general and obstetric nurse in 1976, Ms Whittington has undertaken 12 international aid missions since she joined the New Zealand Red Cross in 1989. She has served in Thailand, Kenya, Angola, Yugoslavia, the Solomon Islands and Iraq as well as three missions to Afghanistan and three to the Sudan.
Her three missions to Afghanistan occurred both before and after the Taliban's rule. Her last mission to Kandahar began just three months after terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11 2001. Not surprisingly then, it was a time of great tension and for you to volunteer for service in Afghanistan demonstrates your commitment to the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement.
Not surprisingly, New Zealand Red Cross awarded you its International Service Award in 2005 and that you were made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2008 New Year Honours. You now become the 23rd New Zealand nurse since 1920 to be honoured with a Florence Nightingale Medal.
My predecessor, Lord Cobham, 50 years ago spoke well of the qualities Ms Whittington has demonstrated as a nurse. You will forgive his language as it was a time when almost nurses were women, but his comments bear repeating. He told a nursing graduation in Auckland that:
"All the finest qualities to be found in our wayward nature are possessed by the nurse—the physical endurance of a marathon runner, the patience of Job, and an understanding of human psychology which enables her to help heal the mind as well as the body. Albeit she has to be cheerful in the midst of suffering, and under the cloak of cheerfulness hide her natural sorrow and sympathy for the sick."
Ms Whittington has offered healing and comfort to all without fear or favour or concern for culture, religion or race. As Patron and Governor-General, I not only take this opportunity to congratulate you on your honour, but also to thank you for your outstanding service to humanity.
On that note, I will I close in Maori by offering greetings and wishing you good health and fortitude in your endeavours.
No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tena koutou katoa.