An active half century for Martinborough's Joyce

HALF A CENTURY: Joyce Hogg, Martinborough, receives her badge for 50 years of service to Red Cross Wairarapa from national president Jenny McMahon.

Red Cross has recently celebrated a century of service in New Zealand -- and Martinborough's Joyce Hogg has been an active member for half of it.

Mrs Hogg and a group of fellow volunteers were honoured for their commitment to the organisation at the 2015 Wairarapa New Zealand Red Cross Awards, held at the Anzac/Kiwi Hall in Featherston last week.

She received her 50-year badge, having been volunteering for Red Cross in Martinborough since 1965, though she had also been a member of Red Cross Youth while at primary school.

Wairarapa Red Cross president Brian Love said the awards were a special occasion, as last year was the 100th anniversary of New Zealand Red Cross, formed during World War I.

The Anzac Hall was chosen as a venue as it will have its centenary in October this year. It was built as a recreational facility for soldiers at the Featherston Military Training Camp.

"This was a great opportunity to bring those two pieces of history together," Mr Love told the volunteers.

"Some of you have been here for half or almost half of that time. You are special to your communities, and we can't thank you enough."

"Extra special" was Mrs Hogg -- born in 1931, the same year the Martinborough Red Cross Group was founded. She first joined up with Red Cross Youth in Form 2 (Year 8) at Martinborough School.

"That was a long time ago," she said.

"We did all sorts of things -- we'd do concerts for senior citizens, we'd do first aid courses, and learn how to make beds and look after babies. They were very big on safety in those days".

One of her clearest memories was serving food to guests at community events.

"We couldn't have anything to eat ourselves until everyone had been served, though some people tried to pinch the chocolate eclairs."

While working as a teacher aide at Martinborough School, Mrs Hogg began volunteering with Red Cross Youth, taking children on field trips and organising concerts.

She helped out driving patients to and from appointments, the Meals on Wheels service, running a housie group for people living alone, gathering donated goods for conflict and disaster zones and organising fundraisers, such as wine tastings and fashion parades.

"We had our own little room where we stored clothes and medical equipment to send overseas -- it was always full," Mrs Hogg, who chaired the the Martinborough branch for 12 years, said.

"It felt good being part of such a big organisation that, throughout the world, was always needed."

She is still a member of the Martinborough branch, which she said is very strong.

She has seen several changes to Red Cross over 50 years.

"We used to do all our own accounts, for example, and now it's all centralised. And not as many people volunteer nowadays, as they don't have the time."

Also honoured for long service were Dawn Hartnell, Isobel Garrity, Peggy Pope (all 30 years), Valerie Johns and Connie Taylor (40 years), with others receiving five, 10 and 20-year badges.

Also honoured was member Bernard Jervis, who died late last year and received his five-year badge before he died.

"He was thrilled to bits," Mr Love said.