Roses and radiology: A lifetime of service
When Peter Elliott was born prematurely there was a risk he wouldn’t survive. He spent his first six months at Karita¯ ne Hospital in Whanganui and, when discharged, he was known as ‘‘the old man’’. ‘‘I knew I had to make the most of my life,’’ Elliott says. And he did.
Last year, he was honoured with the title of president emeritus of the New Zealand Rose Society after more than 40 years’ service. He may have joined the Waikato Rose Society in the 1970s, but roses were in the family DNA long before then. His great-grandparents pioneered the flower in Rangitı¯kei. They started the Bulls Rose Show in 1886 and had 365 bushes in their impressive garden, one for every day of the year.
When Elliott came to Palmerston North in 1986, the removal van had to find space for 90 roses. Peter and his wife Elizabeth bought a lifestyle property in Whakarongo and, over the years, doubled their roses to 180.
He was quickly elevated through the administrative ranks, serving three terms as president of the Manawatu¯ Rose Society and becoming president of the New Zealand Rose Society in 2004.
But his achievements weren’t limited to New Zealand. From 2006 to 2015, Elliott was appointed to the World Federation of Rose Societies and attended society conventions in Japan, Canada, Australia, China, South Africa, France and here in New Zealand.
Elliott loves exhibiting his roses and has served as a chief steward and chief judge.
Roses to him have a strong identity with love and romance. No other flower besides a red rose is given on Valentine’s Day.
That should make Palmerston North the romantic capital of the world. ‘‘The soil here is good, our climate doesn’t have extremes and roses flourish,’’ he says.
Despite serving to an international level, Elliott’s administrative days aren’t over. He’s part of a team organising the 50th anniversary of the trial grounds in November 2020 and incorporating the celebration with the National Rose Show.
But roses aren’t his full-time love: for 50 years he’s been a clinical radiographer, dividing his time between tutoring hundreds of students in hospital, polytechnic and university settings and applying his knowledge to reading and interpreting X-rays, CT scans, ultrasound and MR resonance as charge radiographer at the Palms Medical Centre.
‘‘It’s very satisfying being able to give accurate information to medical staff, enabling a patient to receive prompt and appropriate treatment,’’ Elliott says.
Despite five decades on the job, Elliott, 70, doesn’t intend to retire.
Working with people is a large part of his life. He chairs the management committee that runs the Community Leisure Centre on Ferguson St. It’s a city council asset for people and Elliott is proud it receives about 800 bookings a year.
With an eye for beauty, creative hands and a talent for precision, he pursues yet another hobby. He’s a pianist, singer and member of the Savage Club. ‘‘I play cruise boat music,’’ he says. ‘‘I come from a musical family and it’s relaxation from what I do.’’
Inspired by Richard Savage, a 19th century raconteur, the Savage Club holds monthly recitals and, once a year, presents a public concert.