Vera Ellen ends two decades of service

BY EVELIEN KORTUM

The Petone Community Board's meeting this month was the last for Vera Ellen.

Miss Ellen has decided not to run for another term after almost two decades of service.

Board chairman Gerald Davidson says Miss Ellen's farewell as an elected member was a "happy occasion" at which everyone celebrated her involvement, commitment and contribution.

Mr Davidson says Miss Ellen, a "real treasure" to Petone, is a model for anyone following in her footsteps.

"It is remarkable that even though she is in her 80s she is as active and involved as she is. She puts anyone to shame half her age," he says.

"It will be difficult to find someone to step in her shoes."

Miss Ellen is not sad about leaving because she feels Petone is in good hands, and she aims to remain involved in community activities.

"I couldn't bear to stay at home."

Though she did not mind working as part of Hutt City Council, she has fond memories of the days when Petone was its own independent borough.

"It's just lucky we've managed to keep our identity."

Miss Ellen intends to drop more commitments after receiving "a little warning" at the hospital that she should slow down, but she finds it hard to make a choice.

"My only wish now is that I am fit enough to stay in Petone."

Miss Ellen was elected to the Petone Community Board in 1993.

She stood down in 2001 to stand for the Hutt District Health Board, where she served one term.

In 2004 she returned to the community board, and has been a member since.

She had been contributing to the community long before she was on the board.

From 1965 to 1975 she served in the Royal New Zealand Nursing Corps as Lieutenant Colonel (principal matron), 2nd field general hospital, for which she was later awarded the royal nursing medal.

She later worked as principal nurse at Hutt Hospital until her retirement in 1987.

From 1989 to 1991 she was an elected member of the Wellington Area Health Board.

Over the years, Miss Ellen has been at the heart of a variety of organisations.

A founding member of Keep Petone Beautiful, she has been involved with that orga nisation for more than 21 years.

She also has been a patron of the Petone Central Croquet Club since 1999 and has served as president of the Petone Historical Society.

- Hutt News