Southern Queen's Birthday Honours 2021

• Published date: 07 June 2021
• Publication title: Otago Daily Times: Web Edition Articles (New Zealand)

David Ross Black

Wanaka

Services to health

Ross Black founded the Otago Rescue Helicopter Trust and was chairman from 1998 to 2019.

He spearheaded the $3.5million fundraising drive to establish a dedicated rescue helicopter in the Otago area.

From its inception until his retirement in March 2019, the Otago Regional Rescue Helicopter service transported more than 9500 patients from all over Otago and Southland involved in workplace, sporting or vehicle accidents, sea or land rescues, major medical events or transfers between hospitals.

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Mr Black was instrumental in obtaining a significant amount of donated professional services to support the day-to-day operations of the rescue helicopter service, as well as ground-breaking equipment upgrades, such as night-vision goggles and GPS routes that enabled missions in conditions that would not have otherwise been possible.

The trust now has four dedicated rescue helicopters.

"I have had some amazing jobs ... but this is by far the one that means the most to me," Mr Black said.

"It has been a privilege to be involved with such a service and, more particularly, the incredibly dedicated pilots and paramedics who provide the service and do so every day of the year at any time of the day or night."

Mr Black was trustee and chairman of the Healthcare Otago Charitable Trust from 1999 to 2014, during which time he oversaw the implementation of an investment policy that built the trust's funds to more than $17million and distributions to the community of more than $10million for equipment, training, research and community projects.

He was a director of the Canterbury District Health Board from 1996 to 2001 and chairman of the Otago DHB from 1998 to 2001.

He said the Queen's Birthday honour was not just recognition of his efforts — "it is also for the other trustees, many of whom have served almost as long as I have, and it is for the trust."

Margaret Agnes Chapman

Geraldine

Services to rural women and rural communities

Margaret Chapman was a city girl when she married and moved to a farm with her husband and became involved with Rural Women New Zealand.

Mrs Chapman has been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to rural women and rural communities.

"I joined the Kakahu branch [of Rural Women NZ] as a way to meet the neighbours. They were a fantastic group of women to be a part of. Before I lived on a farm, I'd never known the challenges. You can't just walk to the shops, because the nearest shops are miles away.

"I didn't feel isolated, but I saw the challenges that women faced."

She said she was overwhelmed to be given the honour.

"Just so humbled. I'd never done anything for the glory. I'm just passionate about helping rural women, and I've worked with some fantastic women."

Mrs Chapman has held multiple roles in RWNZ, including national president (2007-10), national councillor of Canterbury region (2001-07) Kakahu branch president (1993-99) and South Canterbury provincial president (1998-2001 and 2010-ongoing). She was also the key driver of the Fairlie Mid-Winter Seminars for 20 years.

She said one of her proudest achievements was instigating the Rural Women NZ Business Awards, which is due to celebrate its 12th year.

"We wanted to celebrate rural women and the challenges they overcome."

Mrs Chapman said she was most proud of the "Kid-friendly Farm Safety Days", which she started in 1996.

"We showed primary school children the importance of safety when using equipment on the farm. We hoped that it would set an example for their parents on the farms, so if the child sees Dad without the helmet, they would tell Dad off.

"We do believe that it made some difference."

She hoped to see more women join the RWNZ organisation, to learn, build relationships and see rural women supporting each other, she said.

Mary Joan McFarlane

Dunedin

Services to swimming

While delighted to receive an ONZM for more than 50 years' service to swimming in New Zealand, Mary McFarlane says she did not do it for any reward.

"I do it because I like it.

"I enjoy the company and I've had such good support from Kiwi Club, the Otago Centre and my late husband. If it hadn't been for Paddy — he just encouraged me.

"I'm absolutely humbled by this."

The 84-year-old began her involvement with swimming officiating in 1970, and has officiated in various volunteer roles in local, national and international events for 50 years.

Mrs McFarlane coached at club nights before becoming an official timekeeper in the Otago region and then a technical official nationally.

She qualified as a national starter in 1983 and an inspector of turns in 2013.

She has acted as a manager of Otago swim teams competing at New Zealand swim meetings many times, and has held various administrative and leadership roles with Swimming Otago.

She officiated at the Pacific Games in Samoa in 2019 and attended the 11th Oceania Swimming Championships in Fiji in 2016 and the Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa in 2015 in a technical capacity.

She has officiated at New Zealand open and New Zealand age group championships for many years and has officiated at the European Special Olympics and World Masters Championships.

In 2019 alone, she spent 232 hours volunteering on the pool deck of national events, more than any other New Zealand technical official.

Mrs McFarlane was involved with the New Zealand Royal Life Saving Society from her high school years, becoming an instructor and examiner in 1954 and continuing to examine until 2005.

Linda Janet Robertson

Dunedin

Services to occupational therapy and seniors

When people follow their passion and work hard it can be surprising when they are given awards for their accomplishments, Dunedin's Linda Robertson says.

Dr Robertson (73) said she did not expect any recognition but was grateful for it.

"The idea that it can happen to anyone is really good."

Dr Robertson has worked in occupational therapy for 40 years and is considered a champion of teaching and applying critical thinking in occupational therapy.

In 2012, Dr Robertson published the key text Clinical Reasoning in Occupational Therapy: Controversies in Practice.

In 2019, with colleagues she developed "the five-finger framework" to help transition...