Masterton man, Alex McHattie, 86, took top honours at the new Wairarapa Hospital yesterday morning, as he was wheeled in as the first-ever patient.
Greeted with a huge bunch of flowers and officially welcomed by the district health board's chief executive, David Meates, Mr McHattie was told he had made history.
"All I had to do was have a few heart problems and a bit of cheek for the nurses," he joked with a twinkle of an eye.
Mr McHattie was admitted to Masterton Hospital four days ago and was asked by the nursing staff if he would like the honour of being the new hospital's first patient.
"They said it was something to do with being born in Masterton and being a well-known identity. All I did was deliver milk," he continued to joke although obviously flattered by the attention.
He proudly pointed out he delivered milk to the west side of Masterton for around 50 years, owning at one point one of the few electric milk trucks in the country.
Mr McHattie was born in a maternity home in Kirton Street, Masterton in 1920.
"It's not there anymore," he told staff.
Both his parents were deaf and this led to his brother, Bruce becoming so actively involved in the deaf foundation, that he was made an OBE for his service.
The two McHattie boys moved with their parents to Casel Street and later Alex moved into Worksop Road where he and his wife, Pearl raised five children.
He still lives in the Worksop Road house and his wife is in Lansdowne Court.
Apart from delivering milk ? "I was the first to offer bottled milk" ? Mr McHattie is also well known for his work with the Masterton RSA. He served in the New Zealand Signals in the Pacific during World War II.
Yesterday was the "big day" of the hospital migration as the emergency department opened its doors for the first time at 7am in the new hospital, close behind by the high dependency unit, where Mr McHattie was greeted.
The medical/surgical wards also opened up and the parade of patients from the old hospital wards began.
They were either taken across the grounds in wheelchair, courtesy coach or ambulance depending on their condition.
The beds were wheeled across and each specially cleaned down before they could enter the sterile condition of the new hospital.
By the end of today, the Wairarapa Hospital will be fully operational from the one site.
Retired milkman gets new hospital under way
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