Olive Webb to speak at fundraising luncheon
For 50 years, Dr Olive Webb has been a voice for those who may not otherwise have one.
The clinical psychologist, 77, who was nominated in the local hero category of the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards earlier this year, will speak at a fundraising luncheon in Timaru on May 24.
And she will have plenty to say as she reflects on her career working with people with disabilities, which began five decades ago. “I guess the die was cast for me, and this is just the path I walked,’’ she said.
Webb began working at Sunnyside Hospital, in Christchurch, in 1970 as an assistant clinical psychologist. At the time, it had about 1300 patients.
“It was disgusting and depressing and inhumane, but this was simply the system at the time,’’ she said. “The individuals aren’t responsible for the system.’’
While things had improved, moving away from management and supporting people to live their lives, Webb said there were still holes in the system.
“There are gaps, but I think there are a lot of people working hard to get things right.’’
Having worked at Sunnyside for 24 years, Webb specialised in working with people who have intellectual disabilities, and people who have autism.
She gave evidence to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care in 2022, and in 2023 wrote a book, From Behind Closed Doors – My Journey Alongside People With Intellectual Disabilities.
Webb was the longest-serving board member on the Canterbury District Health Board, and in 2008 she was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to people with intellectual disabilities.
Living close to Tokanui Hospital, a psychiatric hospital about 14km south of Te Awamutu, as a child, Webb’s mother realised there were many people in the hospital who had no contact with their families She began an annual garden party with busloads of people from the hospital, who spent several hours enjoying themselves.
This had a profound impact on Webb, who as a teenager set up a youth group for some of the hospital’s teenage residents.
“We arrived at the hospital every two weeks with games – back in the day, there were a lot of young people in the institutions.’’
It went on for about three years, and was a launching pad for the work Webb would dedicate her life to.
She said that through this experience, and nurse aiding, she was introduced to people she came to know as “do-gooders’’.
“They’d have a party and give the leftover food to big institutions. Then they would disappear off into the sunset.’’
Webb has spoken in Timaru before, “many years ago’’, and said she was looking forward to her event, a fundraiser for the Aoraki Foundation’s Women’s Fund.
She would bring copies of her book, she said.
The event will be held at West End Hall, Timaru from 11.30am, with a light lunch included. Tickets are $46 and available at The Shoe Shop Timaru or via the Aoraki Foundation website.