|
This year the Commissioner decided it was time to change the usual format for the Annual Parade and have a weekend of activities rewarding and recognising the achievements of volunteers.  The weekend began with a cocktail style event “Volunteer Presentation Awards” on Friday night followed by a Superintendents and Territory Officers all day meeting and a member dinner on Saturday then a Church Service at the Anglican Cathedral on Sunday morning. All the winners and nominees of the awards are to be congratulated for their outstanding contribution over the past twelve months. Unfortunately three members who were to receive Service Medals and Bars were not able to be present at the Awards Ceremony. Makaylia Ravlich and Marcel Clark medal have both been awarded a 12 year Service Medal and the longest serving member in the Northern Territory, Phil Langdon has been awarded a 6th Bar for 42 years of service, an extraordinary effort. Service Bars were awarded to: - 22 yr bar Dawn Bat
- 32 yr bar Steve Peers
- 42 yr Bar Phil Langdon
Other recipients of awards and promotions were: - Nerissa Brumby - promotion to Divisional Officer of the Darwin Cadet Division
- Geraldine Turner (Palmerston Cadets) 1000 Hour Badge
- Kelly Raven - Priory Vote of Thanks
- Arnah Holland (Marrara Cadet Division)-Commissioner’s Commendation
 Commissioners Awards
Nominees for the Adult Volunteer of the Year Award; - Barbara Klessa – Humpty Doo Division
- Joylene Kain – Alice Springs Cadet Division
- Benny Butler – Palmerston Adult Division
- Simon French - Alice Springs Adult Division
- Julie Nicklin - Nhulunbuy Adult Division
Benny Butler from the Palmerston Adult Division is the 2009 Adult Volunteer of the Year Award.  Nominees for the Cadet Volunteer of the Year Award
- Arnah Holland – Marrara Cadets
- Michelle Watson – Darwin Cadets
- Melissa Kain – Alice Springs Cadets
- Leanne Eltagonde – Palmerston Cadets
Leanne Eltagonde from the Palmerston Cadet Division is the 2009 Cadet Volunteer of the Year Award. Winners of the 2009 Division of the Year - Palmerston Adult Division
- Palmerston Cadet Division
 Julie Murray from the Palmerston Cadet Division was chosen as the 2010 Peter Falkland Youth Leader Award.
Presentations of certificates were awarded to Carpet Choice, JR Communications and the Telstra Shop Palmerston in appreciation of their support for the Volunteers Recognition Weekend Activities. A Thank You Plaque was Australian Liquor Marketers in appreciation of the $23,000 donation which was raised at the Sports Charity Lunch. After an all day meeting of Territory Officers and Superintendents it was time to relax, share some stories and have some fun. Sixty members attended a Thank You Dinner at Kantillas and as you will see by the photos everyone had a great time.  Sunday morning it was time for church. The church service was held at Christ Church Cathedral in Smith Street and we had eight members take part in the Capitular Procession. Thank you to our Colour Party Members Dean Franklin, Simon Spillett and Pat Murray for doing such a great job. A lovely morning tea was held after the service so members of St John could meet members of the church congregation.
It was a big weekend and I would like to give a special thanks to all the members who travelled from other centres to attend – Paul, Glen, Geoff and Joylene from Alice Springs, Sam and Darrin from Tennant Creek and Geoff and Lenaire from Katherine. It was also great to see long time Katherine members Brian and Margaret Carnegie-Smith flying up from Adelaide especially for the weekend. We would also like to give a special thanks to our National CEO, Peter LeCornu for coming up for the weekend. Photos of the weekend can be viewed and purchased from
www.progalleries.com.au/digifilm - Scroll down to the St John Folder.  Article by Gwyn Balch
|
