Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2018 includes six people with Gisborne links

Nola Burgess. Picture by Liam Clayton

The Queen’s Birthday Honours List for 2018 includes six people with Gisborne links - and we are going to claim every one of them.

One of Gisborne’s most inspirational personalities - Nola Burgess - was awarded the Queen’s Service Medal for her services to people with disabilities, particularly the blind. Mrs Burgess has been completely blind herself since her 40s.

Singer and entertainer Jackie Clarke can now say she is also a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Ms Clarke was raised in Gisborne and did most of her schooling here before taking her talent nationwide.

Eastland Community Trust chairman Dr Paul Reynolds has become a Companion of the Queen’s Service Order for services to the State, especially in the environmental field.

Faye Sumner, who grew up in Wairoa, is to be a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the medical technology sector.

The former Turiroa School student is of the Spackman family, and grew up on a farm at Cricklewood - just south of Wairoa.

Those who attended St Andrew’s church in the 1980s will remember The Very Reverend Pamela Tankersley who has been honoured this weekend as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Gisborne-born Robert Kerridge said it came as a shock when he found out he had been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Mr Kerridge says he and his wife are “proud Gisbornites” living in Havelock North.

Tuesday’s Gisborne Herald will have the full stories and pictures.