Four outstanding individuals will receive UCOL Council Honours Awards at UCOL’s Graduation ceremonies in March.
The UCOL Council Honours Awards recognize people who act as role models and inspiration to UCOL students, and reflect
UCOL’s connections with the community.
Former health professionals Nancy Kinross and Joan Chettleburgh, and long-time UCOL administrator Donna Meehan will
receive awards at UCOL’s Palmerston North Graduation ceremonies. PJ Devonshire will receive an award at UCOL’s Wairarapa
Graduation in Carterton.
Professor Emeritus Nancy (Nan) Kinross will receive the Honorary Fellowship for over 50 years of service to the New
Zealand health and disability systems. Professor Kinross’ was Massey University’s first Professor of Nursing, and worked
as Massey’s Coordinator of Health Service Management. Professor Kinross was also the first Chairperson of MASH Trust.
Former nurse and health professional Joan Chettleburgh will also receive the Honorary Fellowship. A leader in mental
healthcare, Mrs Chettleburgh was responsible for managing the deinstitutionalisation of Lake Alice. She was a founding
member of the MASH Trust, and held numerous managerial and governance roles over her career.
Donna Meehan, who worked as an administrator at UCOL for 28 years, will receive the Institutional Medal. Mrs Meehan
spent the majority of her time working with UCOL’s Hospitality Team, and later the wider School of Applied Technologies.
In this role, Mrs Meehan was responsible for administration support for 23 programmes.
PJ Devonshire will receive the Honorary Associate award for his contribution to the development of Masterton and the
Wairarapa region, particularly in the areas of education, health, and iwi. Mr Devonshire is the former General Manager
of Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, and is now Manager - Iwi/Maori Partnership at the Ministry of Social Development.