The Queen’s Service
Order (QSO) was instituted by Royal Warrant
dated 13 March 1975 and in an amending Royal
Warrant dated 15 October 1981, as a single
fourth-level Order sub-divided into two
divisions: “For Community Service”
and “For Public Services”. The
title of the Order recognizes the fact that
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is the first
“Queen of New Zealand”. It is
an honour that recognizes voluntary service
to the community and service through elected
and appointed office. It is only awarded
to civilians and a maximum of 30 are given
each year. Joan received her award for services
to women.
Roles in BPW International:
Joan served as a Vice President, not on
the executive 1980 -1983, the Second Vice
President in 1983-1985, International Project
Chair in 1977-1983, Membership Chair 1983-85.
Chairman of the International Planning Committee
for 17th Congress Auckland. Constitution
Chair on several occasions and Resolutions
Chair She has been the International Parliamentarian
on numerous occasions with her reasoned
and practical rulings accepted and respected.
Her knowledge of Rules of Procedure and
Constitutions is formidable.
Roles in BPW New
Zealand: Joan joined BPW New Zealand
in 1967. She was a founding member of BPW
Tamaki as well as served as its president
in 1971-1973. Her life membership of BPW
New Zealand was conferred in 1992. Her chosen
role included training, supporting and challenging
women to seize opportunities not only in
BPW but in their own careers. Nationally
her roles included Constitution Chair, Resolutions
Chair, Parliamentarian, and National President
1975-1977. Trustee in 1980-1981. Her role
as Parliamentarian has continued since 1999.
Joan played a vital role in the planning
of the 17th International Congress held
in Auckland in 1985. She has been a strong
and effective supporter of many projects
which affect women in the workplace.
Roles in New Zealand’s
Community: Joan was the governing
director of Elstree Pharmacy until 2005.
She was a member of the Pharmacists Society
being Secretary-treasurer 1960-63 and Committee
member from 1963-69 of the Auckland Branch
and Treasurer again in 1976 -1978. Through
her pharmaceutical work she continued to
mentor and instruct trainee pharmacists
until she retired. She was noted by both
the Hospice and the local doctors for her
preparedness to answer calls in the community
at all hours when the need arose, far above
the usual expectation. In 1995 she was sworn
as a Justice of the Peace and has been a
member of the Auckland Justices of the Peace
Association Inc since that time. She has
always been available from both her pharmacy
and her home, actively serving and assisting
the local community, many of whom are non-European
immigrants to New Zealand.
Joan has provided voluntary
assistance to Pacific Women’s Watch
(New Zealand) helping to organize the Inaugural
Seminar to establish the International Council
of Women Asia-Pacific Regional Council in
2004, an outstanding success. She is a supportive
member of the New Horizons Trust for Women
and privately of many other similar organizations
and community activities such as the local
schools, kindergarten, youth groups to name
but a few.
The Queen’s Service
Order is a fitting recognition of her tireless
work as a role model for women and her willingness
to serve where ever there is a need.
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