The 2025 Hato Hone St John Wānaka Service Awards Ceremony was held earlier this month at the Wānaka Districts Club.

The event honoured volunteers and paid staff for their length of service and contributions. 

In attendance were ambulance officers, first responders, Therapy Pets volunteers, area committee members and youth leaders, cadets and their parents. 

“We are fortunate to have so many incredible and long standing volunteers and ambulance operations staff in our community,” St John Wānaka area committee chair Dell Taylor said. 

Grand Prior Award recipients Blake Cotton-Everitt and Amelia Latchford

This year's ceremony recognised service milestones including five, 10 and 45 years, as well as the prestigious Grand Prior's award for St John Youth. 

The awards were presented at the ceremony by Knight of the Order of St John, Ian Rae, assisted by Ann Shepherd, Commander of The Order of St John.

One incredible long-standing member of the Order of St John, Marion Furneaux, was recognised for 45 years of service and received a standing ovation from everyone attending the ceremony.

The two recipients of the Grand Prior's award - the highest accolade for cadets in the St John Youth Programme - were Amelia Latchford and Blake Cotton-Everitt.

Presentation to Marion Furneaux. From left: Marion Furneaux, Ian Rae, and Ann Shepherd. 

It requires the cadets to participate in multiple compulsory badges, gain their level two first aid certificate, undertake 100 hours of community service, and other opportunities such as cadet leadership training.

This is a significant achievement for the two cadets and shows the commitment and hard work they put into the programme as well as the community, Dell said.

Amelia and Blake are both in leadership roles within the division, assisting in running the division and the curriculum. 

They are great role models to the younger cadets and penguins, she said.  

The ceremony took place on November 14.

PHOTO: St John