Parkinson’s New Zealand
Media Statement
For immediate use
8 April 2008
Special Awards for Parkinson’s New Zealand 25th Anniversary
Parkinson’s New Zealand is marking its 25th Anniversary on World Parkinson’s Day, Friday 11 April, with a special awards
dinner in Wellington.
More than 70 people from around the country are expected, including Associate Health Minister Steve Chadwick and
Professor Richard Faull, recipient of the Rutherford Research Medal. Radio New Zealand Morning Report host Geoff
Robinson will present the awards.
Seven Parkinson’s New Zealand members, who have inspired others through their activities or have made a special
contribution to Parkinson’s New Zealand or their wider communities, will receive 25th Anniversary recognition awards.
Recipients include a photographer who was awarded a silver medal by the Photographic Society of New Zealand, a muralist,
a life member of the Māori Women’s Welfare League, a hospice volunteer selected as Volunteer of the Year and two people
instrumental in starting regional divisions of Parkinson’s.
“The information and support services available to New Zealanders living with Parkinson’s and their families today is a
far cry from when the Society’s founding members searched for support to no avail back in 1983. We now have a Society
with 20 divisions nationwide, more than 50 staff and our members and volunteers number in their thousands,” says
National Director, Deirdre O’Sullivan.
The different categories of recognition awards and their titles were inspired by a number of well known New Zealanders
including former Patron of the Society and current Ambassador, Olympian Peter Snell and David Levene OBE, the Society’s
current Patron.
The judging panel had a huge task choosing recipients for each award from nominations from throughout New Zealand. In
addition to overall award recipients, several Parkinson’s New Zealand members will receive special commendations.
“We are very proud of the organisation and how far we have come in 25 years. These awards are a tribute to the
recipients but also recognise, more widely, all the great people who have helped build our Society in to the strong,
caring organisation it is today,” says Deirdre.
Ends