Risqué ditty wins cash for rest home
Residents and staff at Joan Whiting Rest Home celebrate the win.
Staff and residents at the Joan Whiting Rest Home celebrate winning the $2,500 first prize in an offbeat national competition run by the New Zealand Nurses’ Organisation.
The money goes to staff training but to win, the entrants had to convince the organisers in 500 letters that they deserved the money. In the Joan Whiting’s case, a risqué ditty inspired by Paddy Gillooly and Paul Holm who shaved off 30 years’ worth of hair and beards to raise $1,000 for the rest home.
“We were so impressed,” said nurse manager Jan Dahl, “that we sat around wondering how we could top that achievement. And that’s how the ditty was born.
“We decided to enter because it’s true that in rural rest homes around the country there just isn’t much money for training. And as everybody in the Bay knows, the Joan Whiting has been teetering on bankruptcy for years. So it’s wonderful to win.”
Actually the staff aren’t going to take the whole $2,500; they’re donating ten per cent to the Christchurch City Mission to help out at Christmas time. “The competition was run out of Christchurch so that seemed a good thing to do,” said Jan.
The money is welcome but according to Anne Manchester of the Nurses’ Organisation, the Joan Whiting team “really are deserving recipients of the education fund”.
And that slightly risque ditty? Here it is:
Remote and rural, poor but keen,
There’s no cash for our training.
Our need is dire as will be seen,
When we are through explaining.
Fundraising’s required – “VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED.”
Raffles, cake stalls and gala days,
We toil without complaining.
Although it’s only fair to say,
Enthusiasm’s waning,
And we are so tired – of – “VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED.”
A public shave of hair and beards,
One thousand dollars raising.
Our matron makes a grateful speech,
“Their sacrifice past praising.”
But next; oh help, we know that look,
She’s suddenly inspired –
A “BRAZILIAN” for a MILLION
– “VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED!”
