Bloomfield regifts Fiji trip to refuge legend
A Greymouth woman was speechless after being regifted an idyllic Fiji holiday by Dr Ashley Bloomfield.
The holiday was a retirement gift for the former director general of health, which he insisted on passing on to a deserving Kiwi — Trish McMurtrie.
She is the Southern Tauiwi representative on Te Taumata o Te Ko¯whai Core Group for Women’s Refuge, and her work has been hailed by her colleagues as “legendary”.
McMurtrie was unaware of her nomination when Bloomfield and her colleagues surprised her with the trip at the Women’s Refuge national office in Wellington this week.
“The workers at Women’s Refuge work tirelessly every day to protect and care for vulnerable women and children, and there is one woman in particular who really deserves this holiday,” Bloomfield said.
“I couldn’t be happier to surprise Trish with a relaxing trip to Fiji where she and a friend find some welldeserved happiness which Fiji is so world famous for.”
McMurtrie will be treated to a fivenight tropical escape at the Intercontinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa.
Women’s Refuge chief executive Dr Ang Jury, ONZM, said: “Trish was chosen for this amazing trip to Fiji because of her unconditional commitment to women and children, particularly during the [Covid-19] pandemic.
“Trish kept the safety of her team paramount and she did all the face-toface interactions with clients while holding the crisis line.
“She really is so deserving of this tropical holiday, and the nomination is our way of showing her that her contribution to our kaupapa is hugely appreciated by us all,” Jury said.
“She was often on the road in treacherous conditions and worked around the clock to support her team and the victims in her community.”
McMurtrie said she was absolutely speechless and humbled to receive the gift.
“A huge thank you to Tourism Fiji and to Dr Bloomfield for giving up his holiday!”
She said she was proud to be part of West Coast Women’s Refuge
Trish did all the face-toface interactions with clients while holding the crisis line.
Dr Ang Jury
team.
“Working through the first lockdown was a challenge that we’d never encountered before and I hope I don’t see anything like that again in my lifetime.
“I’m looking forward to an island getaway and leaving the phone at home for five days.”
Tourism Fiji offered the trip to Bloomfield in July as a thank you for his dedicated years of service to health.
“The friendly people of Fiji are ready to welcome her with open arms,” Tourism Fiji said.
“We couldn’t be more proud to host such an incredible woman.”