Hospital work recognised
Some people move into small rural towns and immediately become an integral part of the fabric that makes a town more than just a town but a community, pulling together for the good of all.
Last week, at its Rural Urban fundraising evening, the Rotary Club of Matamata recognised one such member of the local community – Lady Margaret Spring – by making her a recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow award for services to Matamata.
Past president of Rotary Club of Matamata Leonie Tisch said Lady Margaret was someone who very quickly integrated into the Matamata community after moving here in 2001.
‘‘Lady Margaret began to make a difference almost immediately, particularly in the health services area and established the Pohlen Foundation in 2006 with the specific aim of raising funds for developmental projects at the hospital. She has been the chair of the foundation since its inception,’’ Tisch said.
‘‘Matamata is truly fortunate to have a facility such as Pohlen Hospital – we are arguably the most well equipped small town in New Zealand for health services. In no small way, Lady Margaret has played a key role in ensuring the continued development of this vital facility. Along with a dedicated Board of Trustees, Lady Margaret has overseen the foundation raising more than $ 1.1 million dollars for the improvement and development of Pohlen,’’ Tisch said.
Prior to moving to Matamata, Lady Margaret held senior positions in the banking and IT industries, the National Party and the Wellington Chamber of Commerce.
Lady Margaret said she was truly humbled and honoured by the recognition but said there were many others working with her in the community that also deserved recognition.
‘‘Pohlen is for the community and this is something that I can do and will continue to do,’’ Lady Margaret said.