50 years' service 'a privilege' | Manawatu-Wanganui News | Local News in Manawatu-Wanganui

Ask Betty Hatfull how she describes her 50 years of service with St John Ambulance in Hunterville, and she'll say it was a privilege.

Mrs Hatfull, who is now aged 83 and patron of St John Ambulance in Hunterville, was recently recognised for her service to the Rangitikei town and along SH1, at an investiture in Palmerston North.

However, Mrs Hatfull felt those who had given 52 or 54 years' service were more deserving. Mrs Hatfull worked as an officer on the ambulance for both day and night callouts, at a time when the local doctor would also go out on the ambulance.

"We were never trained as well as the people today, they are just about doctors," she said.

She said the fact she was helping someone made her service worthwhile.

"Even if you were just holding their hand and chatting with them to take their mind off the pain, it was really quite a privilege."

Mrs Hatfull's late husband Keith also stepped in to drive the ambulances when required, and until they were old enough to be left alone, someone had to come in to care for their children while the couple were out.

Mrs Hatfull said they trained every Tuesday for one-and-a-half hours, and she in turn trained the girl cadets in first aid and bandaging, and also taught them home nursing or follow-up care.

"If you had a patient you went into the home to help them. We taught them how to bathe a person in the bed and also taught them how to turn them over and change the sheets."